It would seem that the position in which we sleep as a couple has a lot to say about the health of our relationship. According to sleep experts, each position has a particular meaning.
Perhaps you’ve never given much thought to how you fall asleep as a couple. Yet the position you adopt with your partner says a lot about your relationship. In fact, it’s a powerful revealer. And contrary to popular belief, just because you turn your back to your partner doesn’t mean it’s a bad sign.
These sleeping positions reveal that your relationship is in good shape
Contrary to what you might think, just because you don’t fall asleep embracing each other doesn’t mean your relationship isn’t doing well. Ditto when you turn your back on your partner. According to sleep experts, it would even seem that a couple who aren’t always glued together is a pretty good sign.
That’s according to sleep expert Evany Thomas, author of Le langage secret du sommeil, le guide du couple. According to her, sleeping in the very classic position of the spoon in the middle of the bed is a sign of deep intimacy and complicity. Couples who sleep with their legs intertwined are also very close-knit, demonstrating that they are comfortable with their own and each other’s bodies.
Last but not least, sleeping back to back reveals many things. This isn’t necessarily negative, as it can underline absolute trust in one’s partner. However, it also shows a strong need for independence. And if there’s no contact, it’s usually the sign of a very solid, long-term relationship.
Pretty reassuring, isn’t it?
These sleeping positions reveal that your relationship is in trouble
While some positions indicate that your relationship is in good health, others underline the opposite. So, no, no earth-shattering revelations like you’re sleeping in an embrace and that means everything’s going badly, just to reassure you. No. Nevertheless, they can highlight a lack of communication within the couple.
For example, if you sleep spooned, but you’re on one side of the bed and not in the middle, this would mean that communication has broken down and it’s time to have a real conversation. If one of the two partners suddenly starts sleeping on his or her stomach when this wasn’t the case before, this indicates a lack of sexual desire, a lack of self-confidence, or even deep stress. Worst of all, if your partner puts pillows between you, it’s a sign that he or she is trying to shield you from your presence. A very bad sign.
3 sleeping positions that could spell the end for a couple
Experts are jostling to give their interpretation of sleep positions in couples. And they all have their own original ideas. According to British couples expert Olga Levancuka, certain sleeping positions for two may herald problems in your relationship, and even an imminent break-up.
1 – Spooning
Do you sleep in the spoon position – i.e. one in front of the other, lying on one side – without touching? “It’s important to ask your partner if something is wrong, and to dare to broach the subject,” advises Olga Levancuka. Indeed, the distance (however small) between your bodies could, according to the specialist, be a sign of a lack of communication within the couple.
2 – On each other’s chest
Is your partner lying on his back and you’re curled up on his shoulder or chest? There are two possible scenarios: either you’re completely stuck to him/her, and there’s nothing to report. Or you can detach your body from his, keeping only your head on his shoulder/torso, and this would reveal a desire for independence from the other person. Why would this be? It’s up to you to find out.
4 – On the belly
Sleep on your stomach? “It often means that you’re trying to protect your body, and can be a sign of anxiety and discomfort,” says the expert. Before adding that if it’s your partner who opts for this position, “it’s preferable to try to hug him to show your support”.
In any case, it can also mean nothing. So take these meanings with a grain of salt, and don’t be too hasty in accusing the other of wanting to break up!
