What Your Sleep Position Says About Your Relationship
If you usually doze off with your back to your partner and a gaping space between you, you’ll be pleased to hear you’re not alone.
A new study into the most common sleep positions for couples revealed the ‘liberty’ position, sleeping back-to-back without touching, was most popular with 27 per cent of couples pinpointing it as their regular nighttime stance.
It may not ring of romance but relationship psychologist Corrine Sweet, who carried out the study on behalf of bed specialist Dreams, believes there’s hidden clues to a strong relationship in the non-tactile pose.
‘It shows the couple is connected and secure,’ says Ms Sweet, who says sleep positions can speak volumes about the state of a relationship.’
So what does your sleep stance say about your relationship?
Liberty: Back-to-back without touching
Some 27 per cent sleep in this position with plenty of space keeping them apart. Ms Sweet said that couples who adopt the Liberty are: ‘Connected and secure in themselves, this position shows both closeness and independence in the relationship.’
Cherish: Back-to-back touching
‘A quarter of pairs (23 per cent) like to sleep separately, facing different directions – and is often a sign of a new romance.
Ms Sweet said that it means that, ‘both partners are relaxed and comfortable with one another – this is often common in new relationships.’
Spooning: Front-to-back touching
The classic loving sleep position although one of the most famous, is only adopted by a fifth (18 per cent) of couples.
Ms Sweet said it’s a ‘traditional position’ and demonstrates a dynamic, ‘where one partner takes a protective stance over the other.’
Lovers’ knot: Face-to-face
The most complex position in which a couple lies facing each other, with their legs and arms intertwined for ten minutes before they separate, is a sign of relationship strength.
Yet only eight per cent adopt this complex position. Ms Sweet said it’s, ‘a compromise between intimacy and independence, allowing for the best of both worlds.’
Superhero: Starfish position
Women may hold out for a hero but when it comes to going to bed it’s the last thing you need.
Some three per cent of selfish sleepers adopt the starfish position, pushing the other partner so they’re hanging off the bed.
Ms Sweet’s verdict is that: ‘One partner dominates the space, while the other takes a secondary role.’
The romantic: Resting head on chest
This intimate posture, in which one partner rests their head on their partner’s chest, while their legs are intertwined is often seen in early relationships.
Adopted by four per cent of couples Ms Sweet explained it ‘represents vibrant, passionate or rekindled love.’
Pillow talk: Face-to-face without touching
With space between them but their bodies mirroring each other, only three per cent of couples lie in the pillow talk position.
But Ms Sweet noted that it could indicate an emotionally demanding union. ‘This position shows a need for intimacy and close communication.’
The Lovers: Face-to-face with legs intertwined all night
There’s a reason only two per cent of pairs lsleep lying so closely intertwined. Ms Sweet said that although it’s ‘romantic and very intimate, this position also shows a lack of independence from each other.’
Despite sleep studies showing that 94 per cent of couples who spend the night in contact with each other are happy with their relationship, Ms Sweet believes autonomy in the bedroom is no bad thing. And considering 25 per cent of couples argue in bed because they are kept awake by their partners, it’s no surprise that some couples choose to sleep in separate beds.
Physiotherapist Sammy Margo, author of The Good Sleep Guide, also believes couples should not resist sleeping apart if it means a better night’s sleep.
She said: ‘More often than not sleeping separately has nothing to do with a couple’s relationship and everything to do with their urgent need for a better night’s sleep. Often it starts when one partner has an episode of illness, such as a cough, heavy cold or back pain, and moves temporarily to another room so as not to disturb their partner (or in some cases to the sofa) and they both enjoy such a good night’s sleep that they decide to keep it that way.
She also point out that men and women sleep differently: ‘Men spend more time in stage one sleep and women spend more time in slow wave sleep. Hormonal fluctuations due to the menstrual cycle can also disrupt sleep for many women, not to mention the fact that women with curves have different mattress needs to men without curves. In short, men and women have different sleep needs. Statistics show that people who sleep poorly have a higher divorce rate – so if you persist in sharing a bed despite having your sleep disrupted, you risk not just poor performance at work, reduced concentration and poor health but problems in your relationship.’
Source: DailyMail
Hnmmm ok noted
Ok
Noted. Tnx MISM
Ok. Noted.
Ok o. For me, I don’t mind any position I found myself before sleep comes.
Although we don’t have a definite sleep ppattern & do adopt most of these positions but my favourite is head on chest position & I dare say we r not in early relationship. So my dear miss sweet it doesn’t always work that way
Abeg any of them works for us.We don’t have a particular sleep position.All these nkowa…odiegwu
Waooooo. Noted.
When you’re looking for a particular sleeping position is when your not really tired, i promise you when you’re tired, you hit your pillow with whatever position.
I don see new one today. Romance in d air oh
Thanks admin.
Ok ooooh
Any sleepin position works for me.
Hmmmm ok
hahahah. saved to my documents. will refer to it often
Anyone ooo face to face legs intertwined i love
It’s all bullshit to me cos it doesn’t work dat way
Hahahaha..I lie face down,hubby lies face up. What does that one mean?
Hmmm
nice tips
I like spooning
Honestly and sincerely my best sleep position is back to back, I feel more relaxed sleeping dat way and I guess my hubby feel d same way.
I sleep any how oo lol
Noted ! Any position is fine with me as far as sleep is concerned
As far as am comfortable, i just sleep
As long as am okay with the position, no problem…thanks
Noted tnx
Different sleeping positions come up during the night but d most consistent is the back to back
Sometimes we sleep back 2 back n sometimes front 2 back. I don’t like front 2 from make dem no finish me with snoring Lol.
Romace for a while then switch to whichever position is most comfortable
Whichever position that makes me confortable is good to go. Once I sleep,I will no longer mind who is facing who.
Nice Info. Just that for me any one works
If u say so