Yes. 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.
Cuddling and getting cozy typically indicates that a partner feels more comfortable being intimate and close with you. Some couples enjoy cuddling at night before they sleep or after they make love. Cuddling could also indicate they have deep feelings for you and want to be near you.
Intertwine your legs and wrap your arms around each other. The benefits: “You're lying in a pretty vulnerable position, belly to belly,” Fehr says. “It's a very intimate one, and you'll also have face-to-face contact, as well.” Intertwining your arms and legs enhances physical contact and connection.
Some men or women like cuddling because it makes them feel your protector. They like to feel strong and make you feel safe and loved. Oxytocin, released during cuddling, has been shown to increase trust, enhancing the feeling of making you feel protected.
"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.
This is the most popular takeaway. “Men Need to Cuddle More Than Women,” says L.A. Weekly. “Guys like to cuddle more,” says MSNBC. “Cuddling key to happy relationships—for men,” says CBS News.
The act of cuddling can take many forms: embracing in a hug, spooning in bed, or snuggling on the couch. No matter the form, cuddling involves the act of physical touch.
This is because men tend to pull away after sex. During sex, oxytocin increases, which has the effect of lowering testosterone. When a man's testosterone levels decrease, he feels a great need to pull away and may even lose interest for a while. As his testosterone levels rebuild, his interest returns.
If you're in a romantic relationship with a guy and he cuddles you, it's likely a sign that he feels close to you and enjoys being physically intimate with you. Cuddling can be a way to express love, tenderness, and intimacy without necessarily engaging in sexual activity.
According to a research conducted by the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and reproduction, “Among middle-aged couples in committed relationships, tenderness is often more important to the man than the woman; regular kisses and cuddling lead to greater relationship satisfaction in men than in their partners ...
“Sometimes called the “cuddle hormone” or “feel-good hormone,” oxytocin is produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland when we're physically affectionate, producing what some describe as warm fuzzies – feelings of connection, bonding, and trust,” said Paula S.
When we touch – cuddle, hug, or holding hands – our bodies release “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.
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.
"Cuddling with someone you're in love with gives you a sense of closeness and relaxes your heart and mind. If you feel comfortable with this person, it lets you have your guard down completely. And I share this feeling with my girl.
Cuddling and caressing are essential for a long-term and healthy relationship. 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.
Men Need Love and Affection
In plain language: Men often feel most loved by the women in their lives when their partners hug them, kiss them, smile at them, and explicitly offer gratitude, praise, and words of affection. Men also feel loved and connected through sexuality, often to a greater degree than women do.
Guys, on the other hand, sleep with a woman and easily lose interest and move on. And so, giving up sex with a guy too early on can be one of your biggest mistakes for him to start pulling away from you. If you give it up too soon, he won't have to work for it and chances are, he'll put you down as just another fling.
This is because after the rush of orgasm, dopamine levels drop below baseline, similar to what happens during withdrawal from drugs of abuse. Low dopamine levels are associated with depression, low energy, lack of ambition, social anxiety, among others (Dailly et al., 2004).
“Physical touch, specifically cuddling, releases oxytocin, the feel-good hormone that makes you feel like nothing can hurt you,” says Clarissa Silva, behavioral scientist and relationship coach. “In addition to the bonding [cuddling] creates between the couple, it also helps boost your immune system.”
Holding hands
Like the leg hug and the cheek to cheek, this cuddle position respects the individual comfort of each partner, while still valuing touch. Holding hands signifies support and partnership. It is an action that is both intimate and innocent.
Men love physical intimacy. Not just sex, even a non-sexual touch is something that can make them go crazy. Cuddling, hugging from behind, playing with their hair or touching their neck gives them a feeling of being loved. All these actions give them a sense of attachment, passion and care which every guy loves.
"When we measure people's tendency to be affectionate and to receive affection from other people, almost without exception we find that women score higher than men," Floyd said. "The trait of being affectionate may be more adaptive for women in an evolutionary sense.
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.