Researchers from a prominent American university examined how sleep arrangements in humans and mice relate to close social bonds. The study observed that both species often settle near or against relatives, even when observers might find the setup awkward. The findings appeared in a respected biology journal, reflecting careful observation and analysis of natural sleep behavior under controlled conditions.
Using video monitoring, scientists tracked resting postures and movements in mice, noting a tendency to press close to one another during periods of rest. This behavior, described by experts as somatolonging, appears driven by an intrinsic urge for sustained physical contact. The researchers also noted that co-sleeping among mice frequently disrupts individual rest, as companions wake one another and interfere with undisturbed slumber.
The study also looked at humans, suggesting that a natural craving for touch can extend into nighttime hours. In some cases, this need for contact may affect sleep quality, contributing to restless nights or altered sleep cycles. The researchers highlighted that co-sleeping and shared rest can align several physiological indicators between species, including the onset of sleep, timing of awakenings, the duration of rapid eye movement sleep, and periods of slow-wave activity that mark deep rest.
While the exact reasons behind this cross species preference remain a topic of ongoing inquiry, the researchers emphasize the fundamental human and animal need for social connection. The work points to how sleep and companionship are intertwined in ways that influence health, behavior, and daily functioning.
Earlier discussions in the field addressed guidance on how to use melatonin correctly and who should avoid it. The current line of inquiry adds another layer to a broader understanding of how sleep, social behavior, and physiology interact, inviting further studies to unpack how closeness at night may shape well being over time.