Cuddling, spooning and snuggling with your partner feels good, right? It turns out that these wholesome forms of affection can also strengthen your REM cycles and help you sleep longer, according to a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry.
Focusing on 12 heterosexual couples, this 2020 study monitored healthy young straights and had them undergo sleep-lab-based polysomnography in two sleeping arrangements — individual slumbers and sweet co-sleeps. The researchers collected data like depth of sleep achieved, relationship characteristics and synchronization of sleep stages. Findings include a 10 per cent increase in time spent in the REM (rapid eye movement) cycles stage when couples slept together compared to when they slept alone.
Of course, we always love interesting facts about sleeping with people. The recent study also showed us that couples participating in the research were often able to synchronize sleep cycles — which may suggest contentment and even a deeper connection in the relationship.
But if you don’t have a partner, never forget that the best sleep of your life happens with your dog and not your partner. So there’s always that.
