Couples Sleeping in This Position Last Longer, Study Reveals

Snuggled up together, back to back, or each on your own side of the bed… What’s your usual sleeping position with your partner? Surprisingly, it turns out that a couple’s bedtime position can reveal significant aspects of their relationship. A study conducted by Auburn University with psychologist Josh Novak and cognitive development researcher Kaleigh Miller suggests that how couples position themselves at bedtime can provide insights into their emotional security.

Turning your backs to each other at bedtime or drifting apart might be common, but according to the study’s findings, this might mean missing out on a valuable boost to your well-being. By analyzing the bedtime habits of 143 couples, the researchers found a clear connection between physical closeness at bedtime and a sense of security in the relationship. The couples surveyed had been together for an average of 13 years, with some relationships lasting over 30 years. They all shared the same bed but had different habits. Some started the night face to face, others holding hands, and many eventually turned away from each other as the night progressed.

However, what matters are the first few minutes of settling down to sleep. According to the researchers, couples who fall asleep close to each other—even briefly—tend to experience less stress. This lower stress level seems to foster a more secure and serene attachment, which is a key to the longevity of the relationship. “Physical closeness at the onset of sleep might be a promising and relevant avenue for enhancing relational and physiological well-being,” the researchers noted in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.​​ Spooning, facing each other, or embracing are positions that might enhance emotional security, particularly in long-term relationships.

While sleeping closely won’t solve all relationship issues, it could be a small, accessible step for strengthening the romantic bond. It acts as a form of silent body language that says, “I am here,” without words. In a world where stress and tension sometimes infiltrate our daily lives, falling asleep together, physically close, could be a preventive relational gesture not to be underestimated.