WASHINGTON – New research finds that sleeping in the same bed with a partner actually improves your health.

Couples may struggle with sheet-stealing, differing bedtimes and different room temperature preferences, but the new research runs counter to previous studies that show women don’t sleep well with a partner.

Shared sleep in healthy relationships may lower the stress hormone cortisol, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Also, by sleeping with someone you trust, you may be reducing cytokines, which are involved in inflammation, and you may increase the “love hormone” oxytocin. That in turn may ease your anxieties.

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