The “sweetheart cradle” This position is often used when you need to be nurtured. Your partner lies on their back and holds you while your head rests on their chest. It's a comforting form of cuddling that creates feelings of trust and well-being.
A great cuddling position is spooning — and you can switch up who gets to be the little spoon. You can also try hugging and wrapping your legs around your partner's body for maximum closeness. Cuddling releases oxytocin, which can help you feel more relaxed and bonded with your partner.
Cuddling, like all touch, can be a form of intimacy. “Cuddling is an excellent way to express physical intimacy and affection in a relationship,” says St. John. “It can help create a sense of closeness and security and can be a very intimate experience.”
They like making you feel safe
When they cuddle with you, they know you feel safe and secure in their arms. Even if there aren't any real dangers, guys perceive cuddling as a way to protect you. In addition, they also know it makes you feel loved, so when they cuddle you, it's also a sign of affection and warmth.
In a study that refutes gender stereotypes, researchers looking at couples in long-term relationships have found that men value cuddling and caressing as important for their relationship happiness more than women do.
For girls, cuddling means reassurance from their boyfriend that they are safe and can let their guard down. Cuddling also provides happiness due to the release of the hormone oxytocin. When the girl cuddles up, there is a release of a chemical called oxytocin in the brain.
Oxytocin is released during sex, but it's also released by physical contact such as cuddling, kissing or hugging. When those feelings of calmness and overall happiness become associated with a certain person, it can be hard not to feel attachment to the cause of that association.
"Cuddling, especially with someone you like, gives you a sense of closeness and relaxed intimacy that's difficult to find in other activities. If you feel comfortable with the other person, it kind of just let's you relax and not have to do much physically.
There are plenty of things you can try to make it comfortable and enjoyable for you both. Put your arm around her, hold her hand, or let her lay her head on your chest. You can also caress her or give her some gentle kisses. Snuggling is a way to feel closer to the person you're with and to show affection.
In the few reported studies on cuddling in committed romantic relationships, the average amount of time spent cuddling is about 30-40 minutes and occurs 3 to 5 times a week. Couples will typically cuddle in bed pre- and post-sex, as well as in the mornings.
If the guy you like is willing to stay around and cuddle all night, you can bet that he wants to be close. He's looking for intimacy from your connection. Guys, on the whole, appreciate and are interested in cuddling and usually won't spend the night doing it unless they have an interest in you.
Cuddling releases "feel good" hormones
These hormones include oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. Once the hormones are released into our bodies we experience feelings of happiness, relaxation, improve mood, and lower levels of depression.
You can put both arms around his neck and keep one palm gently on the nape of his neck. If your arms are around his neck, run your fingers softly through the hair at the base of his neck. If your arms are around his torso, rub his back gently. A behind-the-back hug can also be a good way to hug a guy hello.
It means that the guy is very comfortable showing affection, and also indicates that he likes you (or the person that he wants to cuddle).
Play with his nipples, sucking on them then blowing on them for extra stimulation; explore his chest and abdomen with your hands; squeeze his behind; and caress his skin from top to toe, to make sure all his nerve endings are on fire for your touch.
Any skin-to-skin contact will turn a guy on. Touch his cheeks, his forearms, the back of his wrists, his forehead, his bare knees, or even graze his lips with your hands.
Wrap one hand behind his back, just above his butt. Place the other hand around his neck so that your fingers rest where his neck meets his shoulder. Lightly grab onto the left side of his neck (his right side) with your left hand. If you're extra romantic, you can lightly tousle the back of his hair with your fingers.
A "steady diet" of oxytocin helps trigger the release of dopamine, which means we're almost literally addicted to the person we're in love with. Cuddling is a drug, so to speak.