A new study determined that romantic couples that sleep in the same bed at night improve the dream stage of their rest—the rapid eye movement stage. This is one of the most important stages of sleep. The brain consolidates memories during this stage, it also regulates emotions, solves problems and is one of the reasons people dream.
The study found that romantic couples who sleep together in the same bed have longer and unbroken REM periods of sleep.
The study also determined that these couples who sleep in the same bed synchronize their sleeping patterns. The researchers believe this may be a sign of relationship satisfaction and depth. The study even noted that when participants rated their relationship as having a high significance in their life that the sleep synchronization was even stronger.
The stages of sleep are all important. Scientists generally agree there are four phases of restorative sleep.
The first stage is a light sleep. In the second and longest stage people disengage from the environment around them. The third and forth stages are the deepest and most restorative. These are the stages that contain the REM dream state. Additionally during this stage the brain waves eventually emit the slow delta waves. During this slow-wave sleep memories are further processed, the immune system restores itself, the brain makes new neurons and the muscles repaired.
So, couples, snuggle up if you want the most restorative sleep.