Sleeping next to a long-term partner can bring real health benefits — but experts say it doesn’t apply to casual hookups. 💤❤️ According to Dr. Thomas Michael Kilkenny, director of the Institute of Sleep Medicine at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, couples who are emotionally close tend to have more synchronized sleep patterns, which can enhance both physical and emotional security. Research shows that co-sleeping can lead to longer, more restful nights, with brainwave studies indicating increased sleep duration and greater relaxation after sharing a bed with a partner. Physical closeness can trigger the release of oxytocin, the “love hormone,” which helps reduce stress, promote relaxation, and foster a sense of safety. This may also contribute to improved REM sleep, the stage vital for emotional regulation, memory, and brain development. Even partners sleeping in the same room (but not the same bed) tend to experience less fragmented REM sleep than those sleeping alone...