{"id":6479,"date":"2025-06-13T13:58:13","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T17:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/dailycupofwellness\/?p=6479"},"modified":"2025-06-13T13:59:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T17:59:14","slug":"the-surprising-health-benefits-of-cuddling-before-sleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/dailycupofwellness\/2025\/06\/the-surprising-health-benefits-of-cuddling-before-sleep.html","title":{"rendered":"New Study Reveals Surprising Health Benefits of Cuddling Before Sleep"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Could a few moments of cuddling before bed actually make your relationship stronger and your heart calmer? According to new research from Auburn University, couples who snuggle up before sleep are reaping real health and emotional benefits.<\/p>\n

The study, published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships<\/em>, examined 143 heterosexual couples who share a bed. It found that physical closeness at sleep onset\u2014when couples first lie down for the night\u2014was linked to lower stress levels and more secure emotional attachment.<\/p>\n

Study co-author Dr. Josh Novak explained that being physically close before falling asleep can be a way to build trust and reduce emotional distance. \u201cThe more physically close position couples are in, the more feelings of \u2018relational safety\u2019 were present due to lower stress,\u201d Novak said in an interview with Fox News Digital<\/em>.<\/p>\n

He added, \u201cNon-sexual physical affection has generally been deemed \u2018critical\u2019 for relationships, but there seems to be more emotional and relational benefit when there’s full-body contact.\u201d<\/p>\n

In fact, Novak believes cuddling could even help repair relationships after a hard day. \u201cAlthough research needs to substantiate this further, it might also imply that, in the face of conflict during the day that is not solved or repaired \u2026 cuddling might be a way to start that process and move toward repair.\u201d<\/p>\n

The study also showed that cuddling doesn\u2019t have to last all night to be effective. Sleep expert Dr. Wendy Troxel, who was not involved in the study, commented on this finding, saying, \u201cThis suggests that it\u2019s the moments spent together before falling asleep \u2014 not necessarily sharing the entire night \u2014 that have the greatest positive effect on a relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n

She explained that the simple act of cuddling triggers \u201cpowerful psychological and physiological responses, such as increased emotional security and the release of oxytocin \u2014 the \u2018bonding hormone\u2019 associated with intimacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

That hormone release may explain why even a brief moment of touch before sleep can calm anxiety, lower stress, and build emotional connection.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether you and your partner sleep together or apart, don\u2019t skip the cuddle before bed,\u201d Troxel advised. \u201cEven brief moments of closeness can enhance your relationship and overall well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n

The study noted that couples cuddle in different ways. While 36 percent said they don\u2019t touch at all at night, others reported sleeping back to back (19.6 percent), touching an arm or leg (23.1 percent), spooning (13.3 percent), or even face to face (3.5 percent).<\/p>\n

Novak admitted that researchers didn\u2019t measure how long couples stayed in those cuddling positions, saying, \u201cWhat happens most often is that cuddling only happens for a bit until both partners fall asleep.\u201d But that\u2019s okay. It\u2019s those first few minutes of physical closeness that seem to matter most.<\/p>\n

God created us for connection\u2014and physical touch is one way to reflect His love in our relationships. Cuddling before sleep isn\u2019t just sweet; it can be a way to nurture peace, comfort, and unity in marriage.<\/p>\n

As Dr. Novak said, \u201cSleep and relationship functioning are bidirectional and cyclical \u2014 meaning that bad sleep can negatively impact your relationship, and difficult relationship dynamics can lead to worse sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

So tonight, don\u2019t underestimate the power of a hug before bed. It might be just the reset your heart\u2014and your marriage\u2014needs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Could a few moments of cuddling before bed actually make your relationship stronger and your heart calmer? According to new research from Auburn University, couples who snuggle up before sleep are reaping real health and emotional benefits. The study, published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, examined 143 heterosexual couples who share a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":462,"featured_media":6482,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nNew Study Reveals Surprising Health Benefits of Cuddling Before Sleep<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Cuddling before sleep may lower stress and strengthen relationships, according to a new study on couples and emotional connection.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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