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Date night or takeout, many of the best romantic evenings end with a snuggle on the couch.
But does the way you and your boyfriend snuggle reveal hidden signs about your relationship?
A leading UK behavioral expert has explained how to decipher the meaning behind the way you relax around others.
Adrianne Carter told FEMAIL that certain positions can indicate too much dominance or disconnection, and cautioned that physical contact isn’t the only way to express affection.
Partnering with sofa retailer DFS, he shared the five different types of ‘nanny’ you could be.
HUGS UP
The cuddling group is a “clear display of intimacy and mutual comfort” and acts to serve as mutual reassurance between the partners.
These types of couch sitters ‘can’t wait to get closer’ and are the quintessential snuggle couple you can imagine.
Snugglers enjoy wrapping an arm around their shoulders, placing a hand on a leg, or even letting their presence be known with a gentle bow.
It is a ‘clear display of intimacy and mutual comfort’ and acts to serve as a mutual guarantee between the partners.
The Cuddle Huddle is most common at the beginning of a new relationship when a couple can’t get enough of each other.
Couples who have been around for a few years and are still cuddle huddleing, the experts added, probably have a very strong relationship.
mirror image
In this position, the distance does not represent a drift, but a sign of familiarity, closeness and comfort.
This position still indicates intimacy, but in a less physically overt way than the Cuddle Huddle.
In the mirror image, both partners will sit next to each other, but often with a small distance between them.
However, this distance does not represent a drift, but a sign of familiarity, closeness and comfort.
Lounging next to each other, these couples are likely to adjust as well and “subconsciously copy each other’s body language.”
These partners prefer to show intimacy and affection more covertly, while maintaining a sense of individuality; It’s common in long-term relationships or people who understand each other on a deep level right away.
THE GREAT DIVIDE
In this case, each person can have their own corner on the sofa, with no evidence of them coming closer or mirroring the other person’s movements.
The Big Divide prioritizes distance and individual space in a shared setting.
In this case, each person can have their own corner on the sofa, with no evidence of them coming closer or mirroring the other person’s movements.
It is an “external display of independence,” says the expert.
Added Adrianne: “Physical priorities like getting in the most comfortable position and being in the best view on TV are some of the main reasons for The Big Divide, while seeking temporary separation from one another is another potential cause.”
‘Separation isn’t always a bad thing, especially if you both head straight to your ‘place’ when you get back home.’
MANAGER OF CARE
While it can sometimes feel like a show of power, the Boss Sitter position is more often a sign of closeness and relaxation.
There is often one person in the relationship who has the last word, and it is easy to identify that person when it comes to the Boss Sitter position.
“The ‘boss’ takes up most of the space with their legs on or near the other person,” says the body language expert. ‘Often angled to the side to take up the maximum surface area of the sofa.’
While it can sometimes seem like a display of power, the Boss Sitter position is more often a sign of closeness and relaxation, where the couple is comfortable with the status quo in their relationship.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
Here, the sofa, in a way, assumes the same type of function as a family dining room, where the focus is on spending time together as a unit.
This position opens the sofa to other loved ones, such as a pet or child.
Here, the sofa, in a way, assumes the same type of function as a family dining room, where the focus is on spending time together as a unit.
“Pets or children are placed in a cocoon of care, and both parents enjoy an intimacy that isn’t just about them,” Adrianne said.
The Family Matter position brings everyone together in one space to foster affection.