When I dragged my husband to a cuddle party in downtown Manhattan early in our marriage, I thought it would be just my speed. I had been struggling for years with “low” libido and painful intercourse as a result of an earlier, unhealthy relationship, yet I still craved affectionate touch.

A cuddle party—I thought—would be the perfect low-pressure environment in which to engage in physical intimacy without feeling obligated to do anything more.

And while that may have been true—I had never before felt so desexualized in my life—the act of sharing my cuddles with perfect strangers felt uncomfortable.

Cuddle parties aren’t for everyone. They certainly weren’t for me. I tend to prefer my cuddles in the privacy of my bed, right before lights-out. On the other hand, there are those who love a full-on cuddle puddle, and who even employ the services of professional cuddlers.

Whether you’re a group cuddler or someone who prefers their cuddles one-on-one, own it! There are clear benefits to this form of touch, no matter how you like it.

1. The So-Called Cuddle Hormone Does a Body Good

via GIPHYCuddling causes an increase in oxytocin levels, a hormone oftentimes referred to as the “cuddle hormone.” While the side effects of an oxytocin surge are complex, research has shown that heightened levels of the hormone have a number of health benefits, including a strengthened immune system, better sleep, and even a decrease in chronic pain.

2. Giving Your Loved One a Squeeze Can Make the Stress Melt Away

via GIPHYWhen my toddler melts down for seemingly no reason, I have to fight the urge to have my own meltdown. Doing so only creates an echo chamber of heightened emotions on both sides. (Actually, the same holds true if I end up in an argument with my husband.) Instead, I’ve found that the most effective way to react to a temper tantrum from my daughter is to drop down to my knees so we’re eye-to-eye and bring her in for a hug. I can feel that it makes the both of us immediately calmer. And science backs this up. The increase in oxytocin and a decrease in cortisol make for more positive communication and decreased stress levels.

3. Cuddling Can Keep the Blues Away

In addition to reducing your cortisol levels—helping you get a handle on stress and anxiety—the oxytocin released during cuddling can help keep depression at bay. How? Oxytocin promotes empathetic behavior, which means that rather than isolating oneself, someone battling depression might instead feel compelled to reach out for help. Because of this, there have been a number of studies that have sought to determine whether being dosed with oxytocin might be an effective treatment for depression. Results have thus far been mixed, but that’s okay. There’s no need to get a prescription when hugs are available over-the-counter!

4. Spooning Might Make Your Relationship Stronger

via GIPHYI once co-authored an ebook with sex counselor Ian Kerner called 52 Weeks of Amazing Sex, in which we provided readers with 52 unique sexy-time ideas. The intention was for couples to engage in sex at least once a week in order to maintain an ideal level of intimacy and connection.

But guess what? The oxytocin released during cuddling alone can also strengthen relational bonds. Research shows that people feel more loving and affectionate toward each other when they cuddle and that cuddling can actually lead to more sex, which in turn can lead to more cuddling, which… will ensnare you in a non-stop cycle of love? Sounds good to me!

All kidding aside, maintaining that intimate connection with your partner can be crucial, especially when you’re in a long-term relationship. In my forthcoming memoir, A Dirty Word , I write about how an unhealthy sexual relationship had negative repercussions that echoed all the way into my marriage. For a long time, I dreaded sex yet, at the same time, because I was married, I felt guilty for not wanting it more. But that guilt also made me resentful. And that resentment made me pull away. And soon enough, my husband and I were more like roommates than romantic partners.

Learning how to engage in some good old non-demand touching can work wonders for keeping you and your partner connected, even when you don’t feel like being full-on sexual. What kind of cuddler are you? Personally, I prefer the “the butt ‘cheek-to-cheek.'” According to Healthline, this means that I want to feel connected to my partner, but that I still value both my freedom and my sleep. This is…remarkably spot-on.

Bo no matter what type of cuddler you are, one thing’s for sure: keeping those snuggles a regular part of your life will do you a world of good.