Latest news with #WendyTroxel
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Couples who cuddle before sleep reap key health benefits, study reveals
Snuggling with your partner could be a win-win for your health. Cuddling at night promotes more secure attachment between partners and lowers stress levels, according to a new study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. Researchers from Auburn University examined data from 143 heterosexual "bed-sharing" couples, analyzing associations between physical closeness at sleep onset, perceived stress, attachment insecurity and sleep disturbance. Most Sleep-deprived Cities In Us Revealed In Report: Where Does Yours Rank? Factors including daytime sleepiness, income, age, relationship length, sleep diagnoses and whether children or pets sleep in the bed were also considered. The results revealed that couples who assumed a physically closer position upon going to sleep were indirectly linked with "lower couple insecure attachment" (when they have trouble connecting emotionally) and lower stress. Read On The Fox News App The researchers found no "significant" associations between physical closeness at sleep onset and the chances of sleep disturbance. While stress was found to be lower among cuddlers, the research found that cuddling did not increase sleep quality. The researchers concluded that physical closeness at sleep onset "may be a promising and amenable avenue for improving relational and physiological well-being." Here's Why 90% Of Americans Don't Sleep Through The Night, According To Expert Sleep expert Wendy Troxel, PhD — a RAND Corporation senior behavioral specialist and licensed clinical psychologist in Utah — shared with Fox News Digital how these findings highlight the "vital role" that shared time and physical touch play in emotional well-being. Troxel, author of the book "Sharing the Covers: Every Couple's Guide to Better Sleep," commented on the "interesting" finding that cuddling did not influence sleep quality. "This suggests that it's the moments spent together before falling asleep — not necessarily sharing the entire night — that have the greatest positive effect on a relationship," said the expert, who was not involved in the study. "The simple act of cuddling before sleep likely triggers powerful psychological and physiological responses, such as increased emotional security and the release of oxytocin — the 'bonding hormone' associated with intimacy." Heat Exposure Linked To Better Sleep, Experts Say — Here's Why These effects help reduce stress and deepen connection, which makes pre-sleep cuddling a "meaningful ritual for emotional health," Troxel said. "Whether you and your partner sleep together or apart, don't skip the cuddle before bed," she advised. "Even brief moments of closeness can enhance your relationship and overall well-being." While the study found that most couples sleep in the same position as their partner, 36.3% reported not touching or cuddling at night. Those who did touch reported sleeping back to back (19.6%), having some contact, like touching an arm or leg (23.1%), spooning (13.3%), intertwining (4.2%) and sleeping face to face (3.5%). Study co-author Josh R. Novak, PhD, associate professor at the Auburn University Department of Human Development and Family Science, confirmed in a statement to Fox News Digital that the more physically close position couples are in, the more feelings of "relational safety" were present due to lower stress. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "Sleep is one of the most important ways we can manage our physical, relational and mental health," the researcher said. "Research has substantiated that sleep and relationship functioning are bidirectional and cyclical — meaning that bad sleep can negatively impact your relationship, and difficult relationship dynamics can lead to worse sleep." Novak added that non-sexual physical affection has generally been deemed "critical" for relationships, but there seems to be more "emotional and relational benefit" when there's full-body contact. "My study suggests that cuddling with a partner can be both a barometer of how a relationship is doing and a way to maintain or repair a relationship, as well as lower stress levels," he said. The researchers did not study how much time was spent in a cuddling position, leaving Novak to be "skeptical" of whether it leads to sleep disturbances. "What happens most often is that cuddling only happens for a bit until both partners fall asleep, but there could be a select few that cuddle throughout the whole night," he said. For more Health articles, visit "My hunch is that most use cuddling to induce sleepiness and the feeling of safety and to reduce stress and anxiety, and that afterward either their body temperature increases too much, or there is discomfort and the need to shift around becomes necessary." Novak encouraged couples to cuddle if stress levels are high, as it's a nonverbal way to feel "secure and safe." "Although research needs to substantiate this further, it might also imply that, in the face of conflict during the day that is not solved or repaired … cuddling might be a way to start that process and move toward repair," he article source: Couples who cuddle before sleep reap key health benefits, study reveals
Fox News
2 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Couples who cuddle before sleep reap these health benefits, study reveals
Snuggling with your partner could be a win-win for your health. Cuddling at night promotes more secure attachment between partners and lowers stress levels, according to a new study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. Researchers from Auburn University examined data from 143 heterosexual "bed-sharing" couples, analyzing associations between physical closeness at sleep onset, perceived stress, attachment insecurity and sleep disturbance. Factors including daytime sleepiness, income, age, relationship length, sleep diagnoses and whether children or pets sleep in the bed were also considered. The results revealed that couples who assumed a physically closer position upon going to sleep were indirectly linked with "lower couple insecure attachment" (when they have trouble connecting emotionally) and lower stress. The researchers found no "significant" associations between physical closeness at sleep onset and the chances of sleep disturbance. While stress was found to be lower among cuddlers, the research found that cuddling did not increase sleep quality. The researchers concluded that physical closeness at sleep onset "may be a promising and amenable avenue for improving relational and physiological well-being." Sleep expert Wendy Troxel, PhD — a RAND Corporation senior behavioral specialist and licensed clinical psychologist in Utah — shared with Fox News Digital how these findings highlight the "vital role" that shared time and physical touch play in emotional well-being. Troxel, author of the book "Sharing the Covers: Every Couple's Guide to Better Sleep," commented on the "interesting" finding that cuddling did not influence sleep quality. "This suggests that it's the moments spent together before falling asleep — not necessarily sharing the entire night — that have the greatest positive effect on a relationship," said the expert, who was not involved in the study. "The simple act of cuddling before sleep likely triggers powerful psychological and physiological responses, such as increased emotional security and the release of oxytocin — the 'bonding hormone' associated with intimacy." These effects help reduce stress and deepen connection, which makes pre-sleep cuddling a "meaningful ritual for emotional health," Troxel said. "Whether you and your partner sleep together or apart, don't skip the cuddle before bed," she advised. "Even brief moments of closeness can enhance your relationship and overall well-being." While the study found that most couples sleep in the same position as their partner, 36.3% reported not touching or cuddling at night. Those who did touch reported sleeping back to back (19.6%), having some contact, like touching an arm or leg (23.1%), spooning (13.3%), intertwining (4.2%) and sleeping face to face (3.5%). Study co-author Josh R. Novak, PhD, associate professor at the Auburn University Department of Human Development and Family Science, confirmed in a statement to Fox News Digital that the more physically close position couples are in, the more feelings of "relational safety" were present due to lower stress. "Sleep is one of the most important ways we can manage our physical, relational and mental health," the researcher said. "Research has substantiated that sleep and relationship functioning are bidirectional and cyclical — meaning that bad sleep can negatively impact your relationship, and difficult relationship dynamics can lead to worse sleep." "Sleep is one of the most important ways we can manage our physical, relational and mental health." Novak added that non-sexual physical affection has generally been deemed "critical" for relationships, but there seems to be more "emotional and relational benefit" when there's full-body contact. "My study suggests that cuddling with a partner can be both a barometer of how a relationship is doing and a way to maintain or repair a relationship, as well as lower stress levels," he said. The researchers did not study how much time was spent in a cuddling position, leaving Novak to be "skeptical" of whether it leads to sleep disturbances. "What happens most often is that cuddling only happens for a bit until both partners fall asleep, but there could be a select few that cuddle throughout the whole night," he said. For more Health articles, visit "My hunch is that most use cuddling to induce sleepiness and the feeling of safety and to reduce stress and anxiety, and that afterward either their body temperature increases too much, or there is discomfort and the need to shift around becomes necessary." Novak encouraged couples to cuddle if stress levels are high, as it's a nonverbal way to feel "secure and safe." "Although research needs to substantiate this further, it might also imply that, in the face of conflict during the day that is not solved or repaired … cuddling might be a way to start that process and move toward repair," he added.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
How to choose the best sleeping position for you, according to the experts
A key part of the nightly bedtime routine is getting comfortable in a certain sleeping position — but how do you know which one is best? A majority of American adults (69%) sleep on their side, according to a recent poll. That is followed by those who sleep on their backs (19%) and their stomachs (12%). Sleep expert Wendy Troxel, PhD – a RAND Corporation senior behavioral specialist and licensed clinical psychologist in Utah – said that sleeping positions are "highly subjective" to each individual. "The primary consideration should always be individual comfort, [which] can depend on factors like body type and any underlying medical conditions," she said in an interview with Fox News Digital. Troxel mentioned that side sleeping, particularly on the left, is "frequently recommended" for people facing complications such as sleep apnea or acid reflux. "These conditions can worsen when lying on the back," she noted. For those who experience back or hip pain, Troxel suggests sleeping on the back with a pillow under the knees. Using a mattress with proper lumbar support can also be beneficial for these conditions. "Ultimately, the healthiest sleep position is one that maintains spinal alignment and distributes weight evenly." "Ultimately, the healthiest sleep position is one that maintains spinal alignment and distributes weight evenly, which is why selecting the right mattress and pillow is just as important as the position itself," Troxel advised. Dr. William Lu, MD, medical director at Dreem Health in San Francisco, agreed that there is not one best overall sleep position, as certain conditions may require a particular position shift. "Side sleeping may be best for patients who exclusively snore when sleeping on their back or have obstructive sleep apnea," he shared in an interview with Fox News Digital. "However, if you have shoulder pain or upper extremity discomfort, supine/back sleeping may be a better option." For people who snore or have untreated sleep apnea, Lu said that back sleeping would generally be the "worst position" for these conditions. "While sleeping on the back, gravity can pull the tongue, mandible and soft tissue backward, causing more obstruction of the airway," he warned. For more Health articles, visit Lu mentioned that there are many positional therapy devices that can be used to keep people from sleeping on their backs if this is a concern.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Most sleep-deprived cities in US revealed in report: Where does yours rank?
Where you live could affect how you sleep at night. New research from Innerbody revealed that some areas of the country are more sleep-deprived than others. The study used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other benchmarks from the 100 most populous cities in the U.S., ranking each on sleep duration and quality. Here's Why 90% Of Americans Don't Sleep Through The Night, According To Expert For each city, the researchers analyzed the prevalence of five metrics — physical activity, obesity, alcohol consumption, mental distress, and noise and light pollution — all of which can impact sleep quality. Below are the top 10 most sleep-deprived cities, according to the study results. Read On The Fox News App Norfolk, Virginia New Orleans, Louisiana Detroit, Michigan Toledo, Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio Indianapolis, Indiana Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Laredo, Texas Cleveland, Ohio Memphis, Tennessee The researchers noted that many of these cities are in the eastern half of the U.S., and Ohio appears multiple times. Heat Exposure Linked To Better Sleep, Experts Say — Here's Why While these cities ranked as the most overall sleep-deprived, Honolulu, Hawaii, placed No. 1 for worst sleep duration, with 42.3% of adults getting fewer than seven hours of shuteye per night. That's followed by Norfolk, Virginia; New Orleans, Louisiana; Detroit, Michigan; and Huntsville, Alabama. Memphis, Tennessee, ranked No. 1 for the city with the worst sleep quality, followed by New Orleans, Louisiana; Norfolk, Virginia; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Corpus Christi, Texas. Just One Night Of Poor Sleep Could Have These Surprising Health Effects The study also identified the country's least sleep-deprived cities, listed below. Minneapolis, Minnesota Seattle, Washington San Jose, California Madison, Wisconsin Boise, Idaho St. Paul, Minnesota Denver, Colorado Lincoln, Nebraska Oakland, California San Francisco, California The researchers commented that cooler temperatures in some of these locations could boost sleep quality. Sleep expert Wendy Troxel, PhD – a RAND Corporation senior behavioral specialist and licensed clinical psychologist in Utah – confirmed in an interview with Fox News Digital that, per her own research, location can have an impact on sleep. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "It's often said that your zip code can influence your health as much as your genetic code," she said. "Together, these results highlight that this saying holds true for sleep health as well." Troxel's latest research, published in the journal Sleep Health, showed that improving sleep health requires "moving beyond individual-focused approaches and considering broader strategies" in relation to neighborhoods, she said. This includes investing in neighborhood improvements to enhance sleep quality and overall population health. For more Health articles, visit "Considering the strong connection between sleep health issues and preventable chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke, our findings suggest that interventions aimed at improving neighborhood conditions could yield significant benefits," she article source: Most sleep-deprived cities in US revealed in report: Where does yours rank?
Fox News
20-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Most sleep-deprived cities in US revealed in report: Where does yours rank?
Where you live could affect how you sleep at night. New research from Innerbody revealed that some areas of the country are more sleep-deprived than others. The study used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other benchmarks from the 100 most populous cities in the U.S., ranking each on sleep duration and quality. For each city, the researchers analyzed the prevalence of five metrics — physical activity, obesity, alcohol consumption, mental distress, and noise and light pollution — all of which can impact sleep quality. Below are the top 10 most sleep-deprived cities, according to the study results. The researchers noted that many of these cities are in the eastern half of the U.S., and Ohio appears multiple times. While these cities ranked as the most overall sleep-deprived, Honolulu, Hawaii, placed No. 1 for worst sleep duration, with 42.3% of adults getting fewer than seven hours of shuteye per night. That's followed by Norfolk, Virginia; New Orleans, Louisiana; Detroit, Michigan; and Huntsville, Alabama. Memphis, Tennessee, ranked No. 1 for the city with the worst sleep quality, followed by New Orleans, Louisiana; Norfolk, Virginia; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Corpus Christi, Texas. The study also identified the country's least sleep-deprived cities, listed below. The researchers commented that cooler temperatures in some of these locations could boost sleep quality. Sleep expert Wendy Troxel, PhD – a RAND Corporation senior behavioral specialist and licensed clinical psychologist in Utah – confirmed in an interview with Fox News Digital that, per her own research, location can have an impact on sleep. "It's often said that your zip code can influence your health as much as your genetic code," she said. "Together, these results highlight that this saying holds true for sleep health as well." "It's often said that your zip code can influence your health as much as your genetic code." Troxel's latest research, published in the journal Sleep Health, showed that improving sleep health requires "moving beyond individual-focused approaches and considering broader strategies" in relation to neighborhoods, she said. This includes investing in neighborhood improvements to enhance sleep quality and overall population health. For more Health articles, visit "Considering the strong connection between sleep health issues and preventable chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke, our findings suggest that interventions aimed at improving neighborhood conditions could yield significant benefits," she added.
