Spooning is a well-known cuddling position and it turns out, it comes with a lot of benefits. In case you don’t know, it involves two people lying on their sides, facing the same direction, with the back of the “little spoon” against the front of the “big spoon.” Basically, the couple looks like spoons do when stacked with their curves fitting together and here’s why relationship experts say we should be doing more of it.
- It increases intimacy - A big benefit of spooning is that it helps partners feel closer. Therapist De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar says the position can enhance intimacy, both emotional and sexual.
- It can make you feel safe and protected - When you’re snuggled up to your partner lying behind you and holding you, certified sexologist Gigi Engle says you get to feel supported and cradled. She adds, “It’s romantic because it gives you a sense of unity and comfort.”
- It releases feel-good hormones - Spooning and cuddling releases feel-good hormones in the brain like oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin. Blaylock-Solar explains that when you’re in a close embrace with someone, dopamine and serotonin are what “increases that feeling of closeness.”
- It may even support your immune system - According to functional medicine practitioner William Cole, that increase in oxytocin from spooning also boosts your T-regulatory cells, which are essential for keeping your immune system strong and balanced.
- It can help ease pain and anxiety - Research shows that oxytocin can also help people dealing with pain, anxiety and stress. Cole says this is because of that boost to T-regulatory cells, which have “anti-inflammatory actions.”
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