The Art of Cuddling

What cuddling styles say about your lover

From kittens and puppies to grown women and men, everyone loves a good cuddle. This style of warm embrace makes us feel a range of emotions, from safe to sensual. Whether you realize it or not, how you cuddle also matters. Whether you're looking to relax, bond, or initiate foreplay, here are our best tips for making cuddles count.

Relaxing cuddles
A recent study showed that couples who cuddle regularly and spontaneously not only have stronger romantic relationships, they also have lower levels of personal stress. Stress often leaves your muscles tight with tension, so if you want a really relaxing cuddling session, find a comfy spot to stretch out your arms and legs fully. One partner can lie on their back and the other can lay on their stomach or side, with their head on their partner's chest. For relaxing cuddles, there's no need to embrace tightly. The desired effect will be achieved just by soaking up each other's energy in the places that your bodies touch.

Bonding cuddles
Sometimes you need more than just to relax - you need to reestablish chemistry with your partner. If you've had a fight or spent time apart, a bonding cuddle could be just what you need to reassure and reenergize. The traditional "spoon" method of cuddling offers the best opportunity to bond your bodies and your spirits. As the person on the outside wraps their arms tightly around the person on the inside, your bodies are connected from head to toe, essentially making them one.

Sensual cuddles
Cuddling is a very tender and intimate way of connecting with your partner, so it's only natural that sometimes it leads to an even more intimate experience. Touching skin makes you more aware of your own body and the body of your partner. Capitalizing on this heightened awareness can create some very sensual foreplay. The most intensely intimate cuddles allow you to look into your partner's eyes while also connecting your erogenous zones. Try locking your legs around each others so that you are facing one another in a full body embrace, with your arms free to touch the face softy or offer a sensual neck massage.

The type of cuddle your lover is after is also a good indicator of their needs and desires. So pay close attention to this win-win scenario.