6 cozy cuddling positions to warm you up this winter — and the benefits of getting snuggly

• 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. 
• Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.

Whether you're on the couch watching a movie, winding down after sex, or getting ready for bed, cuddling is a simple pleasure that can make you feel warm and fuzzy –– both on the inside and the outside.

Cuddling can serve as anything from a way to relax with a partner to a way to physically communicate how you feel about each other, says Jennifer Litner, PhD, LMFT, sexologist and founder of Embrace Sexual Wellness.

Not to mention, Litner says that the act of cuddling releases the hormone oxytocin which is sometimes referred to as "the cuddle hormone," which can help you feel emotionally closer and bonded to your cuddle partner.

Here are six cuddling positions you can try with your partner, as well as some perks you might experience along with it.

1. Spooning

How to do it:

1. Both partners lie down on their sides, facing the same direction.
2. The "little spoon" has their back against the belly of the "big spoon."
3. The "big spoon" hugs their arms around the "little spoon."

This classic position offers a cozy and comfortable way to get intimate with your partner. There's no need to get hung up on the terms "big spoon" and "little spoon" since you can play either role regardless of your size, says Litner.

Not to mention, a 2009 review suggests that the oxytocin released from physical touch and intimacy may provide a better night's sleep, though more studies are needed to confirm this result. 

2. Lotus

How to do it:

1. One partner sits cross legged upright.
2. The other partner sits on their lap, facing them, wrapping their legs around their partner's body.
3. Both partners hug their arms around each other.

Litner recommends this cuddling position that lends itself to intimacy. Plus, forms of physical touch like this can help calm you down, since the oxytocin that's released may lower your levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and reduce your blood pressure, according to a 2005 review

3. Double knot

How to do it:

1. One partner sits upright on the bed with their back against the wall or headboard.
2. The other partner sits between their legs and leans their back against their partner.
3. The partner against the wall wraps their arms and legs around the partner in front.

This cuddling position can result in a delightful sense of entanglement, says Stefani Goerlich, PhD, LMSW, certified sex therapist at Bound Together Counseling. This type of physical closeness can lend itself to emotional benefits in your relationship, such as feeling emotionally closer to your partner. 

A 2014 study found that longer durations of post-sex affection, including cuddling, resulted in greater overall relationship satisfaction.

4. Cozy turtle

How to do it:

1. One partner lies face-down with their arms and legs curled under them (like a turtle or ball)
2. The other partner kneels behind them and folds their torso over them, wrapping their arms around them.

This unconventional cuddling position may be just what the doctor ordered if you're feeling like you need to be comforted. "I love this position because it can feel very safe and protected for the person being held," says Goerlich.

5. Joined at the hip

How to do it:

1. Lie side by side making sure you're touching at key axis points: the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and foot.
2. Hold hands for extra intimacy.

If you want to feel close to your partner but still want to have some personal space, try this position. Goerlich says focusing on these key touch points can foster a sense of mindfulness and closeness. Holding hands in and of itself results in benefits, too.

6. Lower body cuddle

How to do it:

1. Both partners sit or lie down however is most comfortable for them.
2. The partners can entangle their legs or even just their feet

Not everybody enjoys a full body cuddle. In this case, Litner recommends focusing on engaging in a partial cuddle like this so you can still reap the benefits of physical touch and intimacy without feeling smothered. 

Insider's takeaway  

Incorporate more cuddling into your life to reap benefits ranging from feeling closer to your partner to experiencing pain relief. 

However, cuddling isn't one-size-fits-all. What feels wonderful for one couple might feel awkward for another. Have fun experimenting with different cuddling positions and seeing what feels the most comfortable for you and your partner.