How Cuddling Can Improve Aspects of Your Health

In the season of love, many of us may begin stressing over dinner plans and seeking out the grocery store candy aisle for our favorite person. While this could be a romantic partner, a pet, or a child, Valentine’s Day is a perfect excuse to remind others you care while sharing in the connection of it all. This day serves as a reminder to show ourselves some love, too! The best way to care for your loved one while nurturing yourself may be subjective, but skin-to-skin contact has been scientifically proven to make a substantial positive impact on your well-being. Research shows that routine physical touch with your loved one, specifically cuddling, offers benefits to both physical and mental health. Maybe we’re biased, but cuddles in bed sound like the perfect plans for Valentine’s Day
this year.

The Science Behind the Snuggles

When it’s time to settle in for the night, or perhaps take an afternoon break, cozying up next to your other half can be effective in providing extra levels of relaxation for your downtime. Studies show the benefits of cuddling for just 10 minutes can drastically reduce stress levels for both people. An ideal time for this is 10-15 minutes before you plan to fall asleep; however, there is no wrong time of day for snuggles.* Per this suggestion, cuddling before as opposed to during sleep helps to keep your night of rest as undisturbed and comfortable as possible.

There are infinite reasons behind engaging in physical touch with our loved ones – the connection, the comfort, and the feeling of being close, for example. We may already assume cuddling helps reduce stress, but how exactly are bodies impacted by this? When experiencing high stress levels, the act of cuddling calms the parasympathetic nervous system, or the stress response center in the body. Chronic troubles, anxiety, or sickness are often key contributors to activating this state of being, resulting in detrimental disruption to our nervous systems. Additionally, we are allowed to exit “fight or flight” mode (a symptom of consistently feeling on edge) when cuddling due to the association it has with safety.

Skin-to-skin contact and cuddling promotes the production of a hormone called oxytocin* in our bodies, deemed the “cuddle hormone” or the “love hormone”. This is due to its release when engaging in various forms of physical touch and affects a multitude of physiological functions like lowering blood pressure and cortisol levels.* Cortisol is another hormone our bodies produce from the adrenal glands, suppressing inflammation in the body and controlling metabolism. When cortisol levels are out of balance, the body is more prone to inflammation and sickness from stagnation of the lymphatic system.^

Along with other amazing health benefits, including pain-blocking capabilities (thank you, oxytocin), cuddling aids in better rest – especially for those who make it routine. Associating this with sleep is a signal to the body that bedtime is near, making for seamless transitions to dreamland. Supreme sleep remains a result when everyone is able to experience all-night comfort. To ensure there are no disruptions, dedicate time before bed to embracing, then settle into your preferred sleep position. The surge and release of the “cuddle hormone” might enact calming effects, but numb arms and overheating will only be worth it for a short time. Reap the benefits of closeness without the pressure to remain in place throughout the night.

Valentine’s Day plans may be extravagant and costly for many, but yours don’t have to be. Make it a point to prioritize each other's company and presence this year – not just for the holiday, but
every day!

* : https://time.com/7011782/how-cuddling-affects-your-sleep/

^: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol