To Cuddle or Not to Cuddle?

Imagine that you're cozying up with your romantic partner on the couch. Maybe you're watching a movie or the fire crackling. You're holding hands. Hugging. Just lying in each other's arms.

Sound nice?

It should, because the touch and skin-to-skin contact we get while cuddling releases oxytocin—the feel-good "love" hormone. So if you're like most people, it just feels nice to cuddle.

But what happens next?

Is the cuddling a final destination?

Or a build up to something more intimate?

That is, how likely is it that cuddling would lead to having sex? 

Benefits of cuddling

It relieves stress.

When you or your partner are feeling stressed, anxious, worried, , or just down, hug each other. That makes your brain produce the magical hormone oxytocin, which is known for its immediate ability to reduce stress.

Feeling stressed, anxious, worried, hugging, cuddling, or simply touching each other feels good. It even calms the angriest person down in an instant. So you might want to use this trick whenever you’re about to have an argument, too.

Good for your health.

This same hormone, oxytocin, causes a chemical reaction in your bodies that lowers your blood pressure and heart rate. Thus, making you less prone to heart diseases.

In addition to the many benefits of cuddling with your honey, it also strengthens your immune system.

What better way to hack longevity than to cuddle in the beginning and end of each day?

Better communication.

Most often, relationship problems are connected to the lack of  honest communication. In the era of texting and glorification of ‘business’, people have lost the ability to communicate in a natural way.

We constantly try to guess what the other person is thinking. To say what we think he wants to hear, we expect him to react in a certain way and end up disappointed when he does something else, and so on.

Words can complicate things sometimes – but body language can’t get it wrong. When you’re cuddling, there’s no need to talk, but you’re still connecting with each other on a deeper level.

It doesn’t come as a surprise that most people have a light smile on their face even if they lie next to their partner for half an hour or so. It’s just a pleasant experience you share and you both feel perfect.

If you think about it, words aren’t necessary when holding each other. However, the effect is just as strong. When spooning, for instance, it’s like you’re expressing your feelings, but also showing understanding and compassion.

One of the proven benefits of cuddling is that it can soften a person’s personality. It’s no wonder that you forget about all your issues when you’re snuggling. Leave the rest of the world behind, and you’re just in the present moment, spending quality time with your partner.

Need another reason to start cuddling more?

Well, turns out the hormone we mentioned does another good job:, it helps you with muscle maintenance and regeneration.

Disclaimer: The information on this POST is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional advice. The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this article is for general information purposes / educational purposes only, and to ensue discussion or debate.   

Thank you …Cuddling shows support.

Falling asleep in the same bed every night doesn’t mean anything. Some couples stop communicating at all. When one of the partners is going through some difficulties related to other areas of life, he/she needs support.

So if you think your sweetheart is dealing with something but keeping it to him/herself, don’t ask questions, start an argument, or be upset about it. Simply hug him in bed and fall asleep like that. It’s the best way to say ‘I’m here for you. Everything is going to be okay.’

Want to add word or two? 

Who wouldn’t like to end the day like this?

Don’t wait for your partner to ask for support. Give him/her your ultimate acceptance. Show them you care. Send them positive vibes by placing your body next to theirs before you fall asleep. This is one of the best benefits of cuddling.

Can fix sex life.

Whether or not you’re having problems with this, snuggles in bed are an initiation of physical contact. Most often, that’s all you need to get some action in bed.

Of course, you shouldn’t do it with that goal in mind. But it will happen naturally as one of the benefits of cuddling. Even if it doesn’t lead to sex as often as you’d like, it still boosts intimacy.

One study shows that indicating we’re in the mood by cuddling leads to being satisfied with the relationship, and strengthens the bond.

Makes you more optimistic.

Whatever you two are going through, hugging more often will make you more positive – not just about your relationship, but about life in general.

Again, as a result of oxytocin, you somehow instantly feel better, less anxious, and – ultimately – more positive.

When you and your lover cuddle for longer (and often), you choose happiness over anything else that has been sabotaging your connection.

Your comment ….? 

Cuddle positions & Suggestions:

Wrap your arm around her while she is resting there.

She is probably going to fall asleep. If you are not going to sleep, try to have a TV remote or something nearby so you can occupy yourself for a while without waking her Encourage her to come up a bit onto your torso, preferably with her arm draped over you for more support,

Try to keep the weight on the spot and cuddle positions not on your arm.

If only her head is on your chest and none of her body, this can put a lot of stress on her neck, especially if you're a beefier guy.

When she wakes up it will be sore and uncomfortable for hours.

If she falls asleep with her neck in a bad position, try to pull her up or change to another position after 15 minutes.

It should be relatively straight and normal looking.

Spooning

Probably the most popular style, spooning is when you cuddle front to back. The person in the back is the big spoon, the person in front is little spoon.

It is common for little spoon's hair to get all up in big spoon's face. If you're little spoon and have long hair, try to push it under your head into the pillow to prevent nose tickles and other discomfort for your big spoon. 

Front Cuddles

Front cuddles are like spooning, except you cuddle face to face, as if hugging. It is ultimately an impractical cuddle position, as there is guaranteed to be at least one trapped arm holding more weight than it ought to.

One person can slide their arm through the other person's neck notch, but doing so for both trapped arms is impossible. The best solution is to keep this a short-term cuddle position.

Match your breathing as much as possible so you are not inhaling each other’s breath.

If you have a free hand and you're both awake, make use of it. Massage their back, rub your fingers through their hair, lightly claw.

Have lots of pillows available to shove into any and all necessary places, whether that's under heads, between legs, or anywhere else.

The norm will either be for the cuddles to stop as you readjust or for one or both coddlers to wake with neck or back pain.

Sufficient pillow distribution can prevent this dilemma.

What is life, without your arms around me?

What is life without the smell of you next to me?

What is life without you by my side?

Cuddle me, love me and promise never to ever leave my side.