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Study: sleeping positions reflect quality of relationships

Whether a couple sleeps face to face or back to back, with or without physical contact, is a good indicator of relationship health, according to a study presented at the Edinburgh International Science Festival, which is taking place in the Scottish city through April 20.

Couples who sleep closer together in their bed at night are more likely to be happy in their relationship. This is just one of the conclusions of the first study to examine correlations between sleeping positions and relationship satisfaction.

The study, led by Professor Richard Wiseman, a psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire, was based on a survey of 1,000 couples. Among those questioned, 42% reported sleeping back to back, 31% in the same direction and 4% face to face.

Of the couples who maintained physical contact throughout the night, 94% said they were happy with their relationship, compared to just 68% of those who maintained a certain distance while sleeping.

The study also found that 86% of couples who slept one inch from each other or less declared themselves to be happy, compared to 66% of those who were separated by a distance of 30 inches or more.

Physical distance during sleep could indeed be a direct indicator of emotional intimacy, according to the conclusions of the study.

The researchers also questioned the participants on their personality traits. Among the interesting findings gleaned from their responses was the revelation that extroverts are more likely to sleep closer to their partners, and the conclusion that creative individuals are more likely to sleep on their left side.