From “spooners” to “cliffhangers,” the one sleep habit that’s the best indicator of a couple’s overall happiness
If you sleep in bed with someone every night, then you’ve probably gotten into a bit of a sleep routine— you’ve each claimed one side of the bed, maybe one of you steals the covers, and you probably sleep in the same position every night. So, what exactly does your sleep position mean about your relationship? If you don’t sleep facing each other, don’t worry. According to a study out of the University of Hertfordshire, only about 4% of couples sleep like this— the rest of us probably just want to avoid being woken up by morning breath! With the help of Sleep Number®, we’ve broken down the most common sleep positions and what they mean… and we’ll share some ideas on how to get more quality sleep.
Back to Back
This is by far the most common sleep position, with about 42% of couples reporting this as their sleep style. It’s very popular among couples who have been together for a long time and are used to sleeping together, and is a great balance for those sleepers who want to stretch out a bit while still being close enough to physically tough their partner during the night. The touching element is crucial— the Hertfordshire study found that 94% of couples that spent the night in some sort of physical contact with their partner reported that they were happy with their relationship. The further apart a couple slept, the less happy they reported being.
The Spoon
This position involves both partners lying on their side and facing the same direction— like a pair of spoons in a drawer. It’s a favorite of new couples who crave physical intimacy and security. Whether you’re the big spoon or the little spoon, you’re basically sleeping in a hug, so the feeling of closeness is undeniable… although a study out of the UK found that less than 20% of couples actually fall asleep spooning.
The biggest problem? This position can get hot! If you crave closeness but can’t handle the heat, the good news is Sleep Number®’s TrueTemp® sheets and blankets can help.
The Sweetheart’s Cradle
This is the classic romance movie position— where one partner lays on their back and the other rests their head on their partner’s chest. As idyllic as this position may look on the silver screen, in reality it might leave you with quite a stiff neck in the morning. Most partners who opt for this position will only stay in it for a few minutes before gravitating to their own areas of the bed. Starting in this position and then moving out of it may be an indicator that a couple is sexually compatible, yet independent.
If you’d like to try to sleep for the whole night like this without feeling like you need a neck brace in the morning, you might try putting a pillow on your partner’s chest. If you’re looking for a pillow upgrade, Sleep Number® is offering buy one, get one 50% off all pillows through March 1st.
The Cliffhanger
In cliffhanger, both partners gravitate towards complete opposites of the bed, sometimes going so far as to hang a foot or leg over the mattress. Considering the general happiness level of those people who touch during the night, this position might be indicative of a growing distance or passive aggression within the couple. That said, for some couples, it can indicate that both partners are completely secure with themselves, and with their relationship— just be sure you’ve got enough blankets to cover both of you!
No matter what position you end up in, when it comes down to it, you and your partner just need to figure out how to get the best quality sleep possible. Regardless of whether your sleep styles are completely in sync or totally different, the Sleep Number 360® smart bed will help to regulate temperature and allow each partner to choose the sleep setting that’s best for them.
