Some people love to cuddle, and some people don’t. Those that do enjoy snuggling up with a loved one might not realize that doing so can actually benefit them. According to science, cuddling can improve your health and even help you fight off sickness!
If you’re pro-cuddling, you’re in for a treat. In this article, we will break down the benefits of cuddling, reveal the best cuddle positions, and explain how SONU can help you and your significant other sleep better.
What Are the Benefits of Cuddling?
During physical touch, oxytocin, the “feel-good” hormone, is released, creating a feeling of connection. That “warm and fuzzy” feeling you get during a cuddling session with a loved one is oxytocin at work, helping you bond and build trust. The more of it released, the more you’ll want to keep doing the activity that released it.
Cuddling and physical contact can reduce stress. When people cuddle, their levels of the stress hormone cortisol go down. People with high levels of cortisol may be more vulnerable to becoming depressed or anxious. Cuddling with someone, holding hands, or resting your head on your partner’s chest helps you relax.
Lower cortisol levels also make you less prone to illness. The oxytocin released when you cuddle not only reduces cortisol, but also improves your immune system. This helps you fight off colds and other types of viruses.
You might be surprised to learn that oxytocin and dopamine, the cuddle hormones, can also reduce your pain levels. Imagine having a slight headache until you cuddle up with a partner and just like that, your headache is gone. It may not work exactly like that, but you get the idea.
People who cuddle tend to sleep better than those who don’t. Cuddling at bedtime releases — you guessed it — oxytocin, making partners feel relaxed and comfortable enough to fall asleep in each other’s arms.
Cuddling can reduce your blood pressure. The act of curling next to someone or holding their hand has helped lower heart rates and blood pressure.
Couples who cuddle usually communicate well and experience more emotional intimacy. Both of these things are important for having happy, long-lasting relationships.
What Are Some Top Cuddling Positions?
Now you know the benefits of cuddling, it’s time to reveal the most popular cuddling positions.
1. Spooning
Spooning is when two people lie on their sides very close together, facing the same direction. The person behind might wrap their arm around the person in front. This person is considered the “big spoon,” while the person with their back against them is the “little spoon.”
Spooning calls for side sleeping, and the SONU Sleep System can help ensure that you do not wake up with arm or shoulder pain after a night of sleeping on your side. SONU’s patented Comfort Channel, Sink-In Support, and Support Pillows work to relieve and prevent pressure on the upper body while side sleeping by finally allowing your arms to rest where they’re meant to, making for an unforgettable sleeping experience.
2. Joined At the Hip
Two people lying side by side on their backs, touching their shoulders, elbows, hips, and feet, are “joined at the hip.” People sleeping in this position often hold hands and rub their feet against each other.
3. Lower-Body Cuddle
Lying or sitting down with your legs entangled, also known as a leg hug, is considered a lower-body cuddle. Cuddlers like this position because it allows them to touch without being up in each other’s faces. It still creates a sense of intimacy between the two while being a more comfortable position.
4. Face to Face
The face-to-face position involves each person lying on their side facing each other. Some people intertwine their feet or hold hands while in this position.
SONU’s Comfort Channel allows each person to fully immerse their arm and shoulder into the bed, preventing pain and uncomfortable pressures on the side of the body while you sleep face to face.
5. Cradle
To cuddle in the cradle position, one person lies on their back, and the other lies on their side. The second person then puts their head on the first person’s shoulder. They may embrace while lying in this position, with the first person cradling the second person’s head. Some couples intertwine their legs while lying in this position.
What Are the Best Beds for Cuddlers?
There are plenty of beds out there that suit couples. If you prefer to cuddle, the best beds for you might be those made for side sleepers since a majority of different cuddling positions involve sleeping on your side.
Latex
Latex mattresses are made with natural latex combined with a few synthetic materials. To make latex, manufacturers use rubber tree sap. The result creates a mattress with a latex core that supports your shoulders without creating that “sinking” feeling.
Memory Foam
Memory foam mattresses are very popular with sleepers of all kinds. What makes them great for side sleepers is that they contour to the crevices of your body, providing relief to all your pressure points. If you or your partner have shoulder pain, a memory foam mattress is an excellent choice.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses are made of two types of materials. One of the most popular hybrid mattresses has an inner coil support core with a comfortable memory foam encasing. Side sleepers enjoy this type of mattress because of the combination of supportive materials.
Serene Foam
Serene foam is a fairly new product. The foam consists of air pockets that help cool the mattress while you are sleeping. The serene foam provides all the contouring benefits of memory foam without the uncomfortable heat that memory foam mattresses often create. The coolness of the serene foam also prevents couples from getting too hot when they sleep next to each other.
If you’re interested in trying serene foam, the SONU Sleep System is a multilayer mattress including memory foam and high-resilience foams encased in Serene foam. The mattress is perfect for cuddling couples, or those who generally prefer side sleeping.
The SONU molds to your unique body shape and allows your arms and shoulders full range of motion thanks to its negative space. This space is known as the patented Comfort Channel, and it is 10-inches deep.
Placing your arms and shoulders in this space prevents that “dead arm” feeling you may get during the spooning position or other sleeping position in which one partner lies on their side.
Conclusion
Sleeping next to your partner, whether you cuddle or not, helps you bond.
Cuddling is great for increasing your emotional intimacy, improving communication, and protecting your immune system.
Not everyone likes to spoon. Thankfully, there are plenty of alternatives to this position. Whichever position you and your partner cuddle in, make sure you’re doing it on a mattress suitable for cuddlers of all types.
SONU Sleep has created the ultimate mattress for side sleepers and cuddlers. The SONU is designed to prevent arm, neck, back and shoulder pain, by alleviating pressure points that are unavoidable with all other mattresses.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to sore, stiff shoulders and hello to full spine alignment and the best sleep of your life, check out SONU Sleep.
Sources
Can You Kiss and Hug Your Way to Better Health? | University of Pennsylvania
10 Incredible Benefits of Cuddling That Make You Want to Cuddle Now | Lifehack
How Cuddling Affects Sleep | Sleep.org
Common Couple Sleeping Positions and What They Mean | Sleep Foundation
