What Your Sleep Style Says About Your Relationship

Are you an all-night snuggler or a keep-your-distance kind of sleeper? The answer may reveal subtle clues about your relationship. Couples who sleep less than an inch apart are more likely to be happy in their relationships than couples who sleep on opposite sides of the bed, according to a survey conducted at this month’s Edinburgh International Science Festival.

For the study, researchers from the University of Hertfordshire surveyed 1,000 people about their sleeping habits when snoozing next to their partners. Looks like cuddly couples have the upper hand: 86 percent of couples who slept within an inch of one another were happy with their relationships, while only 66 percent of couples who slept more than 30 inches apart were content with their bond. Plus, touching played a huge role in their happiness; 94 percent of couples who spent the night in contact with each other were happy with their relationships, while only 68 percent of those who kept their hands to themselves said the same.

Now, this obviously doesn’t mean you should panic about losing your partner or rethink your sleep style if you typically stick to your side of the bed—sometimes you just need some space! It makes sense that couples who are feeling less-than-thrilled about their romance are less likely to snuggle at night, which could account for some of the statistics. Plus, only 12 percent of couples actually slept within an inch of each other (let’s be honest, that’s pretty close) and only two percent slept over 30 inches apart, so chances are you are your partner are somewhere in the middle—of the bed and the happiness scale. Still, there’s no harm in adding a little spooning action now and then if it’ll boost your bond.