What Your Sleep Position Says about Your Relationship

According to experts, your sleep position with your partner says a lot about how you feel in the relationship. Do you want to know what each position means?
What Your Sleep Position Says about Your Relationship

Last update: 30 May, 2022

If you really think about it, you can probably remember a time when you’ve fought with your partner and it affected your sleep position. After, you both went to sleep and probably turned your backs towards each other, or searched for another position to avoid being too close. Likewise, you’ve probably noticed that when you’ve had a romantic day and things are going well, you’ve slept intertwined to be as close to one another as possible.

According to cognition and language specialists and psychologists, the position a couple sleeps in reveals a lot about what they are going through. While body language can change, your sleep position can be an emotional window into how you feel about each other in a given moment.

Would you like to know what your sleep position says about your relationship with your partner?

What Your Sleep Position Says about Your Relationship

Back to back, but touching

your sleep position

Couples that tend to sleep in this position show that they respect personal space, but don’t want to stop touching. They’re dynamic, different, and each live independent lives but with a healthy and stable relationship.

According to the previously mentioned research, this position reflects confidence without needing to constantly be in one another’s presence.

Back to back and separated

your sleep position

This position is a sign that something is not right in the relationship.  It is necessary to keep a distance and for both people to have freedom in their lives.However, lack of contact between bodies facing opposite directions can reveal a strong argument or that both people want total independence.

In this case, you should closely examine your position. For example, pay attention to whether or not your hands are closed and your body is tense. If so, it’s a sign that the couple does not want to communicate and that it may even be intolerable to be around the other person. If your body is loose, however, there isn’t tension in the relationship and this could indicate that there is trust and respect for one another’s space.

Face to face, without touching

your sleep position

Sleeping in this position shows that you want intimacy and that there is a desire to see your partner. Each one knows how to respect moments of privacy, but has a connection that prevents distance. Generally, these types of couples face daily problems with more ease.

Intertwined

Specialists agree that this position reveals strong desire and passion. It’s very common when the relationship is first starting and generally, both fall asleep together after sharing moments of intimacy.

Sleeping intertwined can reveal sexual desire. However, according to experts, it’s possible that a couple that always sleeps this way may encounter problems with jealousy.

Spooning

your sleep position

According to the previously mentioned specialists, the person who hugs tends to guide and protect the other. The couple feels comfortable and safe and possibly feels insecure if not being hugged while sleeping. This position reflects perfect harmony between the couple. However, it can also sometimes indicate a degree of insecurity in the relationship.

Hugging

your sleep position

According to this research, this position reflects commitment, love, and affection in a couple.  It generally reflects a good relationship and an excellent sex life. According to experts, if you sleep with your head on your partner’s shoulder, it means you are very secure in your relationship.

Sprawled out and cramped

your sleep position

This is not a good position in a couple, according to experts, as the person who takes up a lot of space does not show affection for their partner.

This position also indicates the relationship is not in a very good place. This is because the person taking up less space may have low self-esteem and many insecurities. Meanwhile, the one taking up more space may believe the relationship is doing well.

Each one in their own space, but with their legs intertwined

your sleep position

This position reflects that both partners love each other.  According to specialists, this reflects a combination between love, passion, and respect for differences. Sleeping with your legs intertwined is a symbol of commitment to your partner and your relationship.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this article on what your sleep position can say about your relationship with partner!


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Rebel, G. (2002). El lenguaje corporal: lo que expresan las actitudes, las posturas, los gestos y su interpretación. Edaf.
  • Sassenfeld, A. (2008). Lenguaje corporal e intencionalidad relacional. Gaceta de Psiquiatría Universitaria, 4(1), 83-92.
  • Wood, Patti. (2005). Success Signals: A Guide to Reading Body Language. Communication Dynamics.

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.