Best Cuddling Positions

After a session of impassioned and strenuous lovemaking (lasting anywhere from hours to, conservatively, less than a minute), you collapse to the mattress, spent. There's only one thing left to do now — apart from getting a glass of water and/or going to the bathroom — that's right, it's time to cuddle. But while most people will agree that post-coital cuddling (or, hell, pre-coital cuddling) is one of the most enjoyable and romantic things you can do with another person, just like fingerprints, faces and pizza topping preferences, everyone's cuddle method is a little different. So what are the best cuddling positions? As with sex positions, what works for one person (or one couple) will be wildly inappropriate to another. So here's a list of eight awesome cuddle options for you to try out next time you're getting cozy together. The Spoon Ahh, the classic. If there's such a thing as the vanilla ice cream of cuddling, spooning is it. Though, unlike the missionary position, spooning doesn't feature the participants facing each other, much like the missionary position, spooning has incredible name recognition and cultural penetration. It has many benefits, like allowing for full-body contact, easily accommodating different partner shapes and sizes, and not forcing you to stare into the other person's eyes the whole time. However, arm positioning can prove tricky, and it can also be a little lonely if you actually were hoping to stare into the other person's eyes the whole time. The Magic Flight Love spooning but looking for some flexibility? You're in luck! The Magic Flight (so named because it looks like you two are pushing off for a quick trip to the sky) mimics the Spoon from the waist up — but from the waist down, it's much less invasive, as you're free to extend your legs rather than pressing them against your partner's. This is a great option for couples concerned about overheating — over overcrowding. However, if you really want the most pure cuddle per square inch, the classic Spoon might be the way to go. The Cradle Looking to move away from the whole spoon paradigm? Welcome to the Cradle. This position is great if one of you particularly needs to be lying on your back (whether it's a strong preference of a health issue) and it's also great as an option that allows for face-to-face time without necessarily feeling invasive, since the cradler can always rest their head in the crook of the cradlee's neck. While this distant cousin of the Spoon does offer a fun alternative that's great for couples who prefer a more Dom/sub dynamic even to their cuddling, it's hard to argue that it delivers the pure body contact footage of some of the other cuddle positions. The Twist If the Spoon is vanilla, the the Twist has to be chocolate. But like, chocolate with something unexpected in it, like jalapeños, or maca root. The Twist is a raw, passionate cuddle that shoves two people together face-first and demands they hang onto each other for dear life. It's the kind of cuddle that should only be undertaken if you really don't care what the other person's breath smells like. In short, it's intense — but depending on what your couple is like, that might be just what you want. The Independent The Independent, meanwhile, is the polar opposite of the Twist — emphasis on polar. Not just because facing away from each other can feel a little cold, but because it's a fantastic option if you want a little bit of cuddle action but not so much as to feel overheated. It's also perfect if you tend to feel more comfortable facing in opposite directions but aren't quite up for the Twist. And it can be useful after an argument, when you want to let the other person know you still love them — just scootch over in that direction a little until your backs are touching. (Of course, talking can also be helpful there.) The Couch Twist It's an unfortunate myth that cuddling necessitates a bed. Some of the best cuddles happen on sofas, couches and even chesterfields (yes, that's a real thing). Befitting the intense nature of the Twist, the Couch Twist is perfect for couples who need to cuddle right freakin' now. No talk of getting up or moving to another room will satisfy these passionate cuddlers, and for that, you kind of have to grudgingly approve. Plus, here, you can get a leg up — literally. The Couch Spoon Pretty much the only position here where either participant could get anything done, the Couch Spoon is ideal for couples who want to cuddle and read (or, more likely, use their phones) at the same time. Well, fear not, compromise is at hand! Simply port your big spoon/little spoon setup from the bedroom to the living room, have the little spoon get between the big spoon's legs, and you're set. The Body Heat A perfectly sane and flexible midway point between the Twist and the Cradle, the Body Heat allows you to get a bit more or a bit less contact, and a bit more or a bit less face-time, depending on what exactly you both want. Need some space? One partner can shimmy down the other's chest a bit. Want to feel close? Engage those legs — one partner can wrap theirs around the other, or you can intertwine them. All illustrations by Carlee Ranger. You Might Also Dig: What Women Say & What They Really MeanWhat Is Slut-Shaming? (And Why You Need to Stop Doing It)Here's What Guys Should Know About Sexism