How to Snuggle

Last Updated: December 31, 2021 References

Snuggling is an intimate way to get closer to another person (or yourself!) physically and emotionally. When the mood is right, get into a comfortable position, relax, and enjoy the moment. While snuggling is not exactly a science, it can be a little intimidating if you've never done it before. Luckily, there's not much to it. By getting all cozy and prepared, you can make the first move and settle into a nice position and enjoy a little bit of intimacy with your partner or yourself!^{[1]
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Part 1

Part 1 of 3:
Preparing to Snuggle

1
Make sure you smell good. One of the first things you need to consider when preparing to snuggle is your personal hygiene. No one wants to snuggle with someone who hasn't showered in three days.
- Make yourself snuggle-able by having a hot shower before your boyfriend or girlfriend arrives. Wash your hair with a scented shampoo and de-fuzz anything that needs to be defuzzed!
- Apply some deodorant and place a little perfume or aftershave on your pulse points, such as behind your ears, on your inner wrists, in the crook of your elbows and at the base of your throat. Remember not to overdo the application of perfume or cologne, however; this can be a complete turn off if the smell is too strong!
- Also remember to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth out with mouth wash. Snuggling often leads to kissing!
2
Set the mood. The second thing you need to do is set the mood for some intimate snuggling.
- Try to get as much privacy as possible -- make sure any parents/siblings/friends/roommates are out of the house, or at least make them promise that they'll stay out of the room.
- Dim the lights. Turning off the main light in the room and using a few lamps instead can make the atmosphere much more romantic and suitable for snuggling. Try lighting a few scented candles if you really want to kick the romance levels up a notch.
- Make sure the room is comfortably warm, but not too hot. You don't want your date to be shivering, but you don't want them to be too hot to get close to you either. With that said, lighting a small fire can be uber romantic.
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3
Get comfortable. Comfort is of paramount importance when it comes to snuggling, so make sure you and your date won't be sitting on the floor.
- Choose a snuggling location with a comfortable couch, love seat, or bed. Pile on plenty of pillows or cushions -- these can be useful when there's an awkward elbow or hip bone getting in the way of a good snuggle.
- Get a warm blanket (that's big enough to cover the two of you) and drape it over the back of the couch. Then you'll easily be able to grab it once a good snuggling position has been established. Make sure it's soft, not scratchy like some wool blankets.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:
Moving in for the Snuggle

1
Invite your date to sit down. Once your date arrives, steer them gently towards your chosen snuggle location and ask them to sit down.
- Ask them if they'd like a drink or something to eat -- you want to make sure all of their needs are taken care of in advance so that something as silly as "needing a glass of water" won't disrupt your snuggling later on.
- Tell them that they're welcome to take their shoes off and snuggle up under the blanket -- you want them to be as comfortable as possible.
- Start the movie or TV show or game or whatever other activity you had planned for the evening.
2
Make your first move. Sit down next to your date -- as close as you feel comfortable with -- so you can set the snuggle plan in motion.
- Try resting your arm on the back of the couch behind your date's head (this works well for guys, it may feel somewhat unnatural for girls). The when you've built up the courage, you can transfer your arm to your date's shoulder.
- Try grabbing your date's hand. You can just hold it or you can play with it, stroking the individual fingers and massaging the palm.
- You could start playing with your date's hair (guy or girl), twisting it around or stroking it (without pulling). Alternatively, you could try massaging their neck or tugging gently on their earlobe.
- Really, it doesn't matter what you do as long as you are touching your date -- the point is to initiate physical contact so you can easily segue into a full-on snuggle.
3
Commit to the snuggle. Once you've broken the touch barrier and start to feel confident, you can smoothly transition into a complete snuggle.
- Guys can do this by wrapping their arm around their date's shoulders and pulling her closer. This will allow her to rest her head on their chest or shoulders.
- Girls can grab the guy's arm and sort of hug it, while resting their head on his shoulder or chest. If you want to get really comfy, you can also rest your legs across the guy's lap (just make sure this isn't uncomfortable for him).
- Congratulations -- you are snuggling!
4
Try some different positions. Now that the snuggling has begun, there'll be no stopping you! Try some of these snuggletastic ideas:
- Try a sitting spoon, where you both sit facing the same direction, with the small spoon sitting in between the big spoon's legs and lying back against their chest. The big spoon can then put their arms around the small spoon's shoulders.
- Try resting your head in your date's lap, or allowing them to rest their head in yours. Then the sitting partner can stroke the lying partners hair or exposed arm.^{[2]
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- If you've finally lost interest in whatever it is you were watching/doing before, you can try some more intimate snuggle poses which require both of you to be lying down. Try lying down facing each other, allowing your foreheads to touch and your legs to become intertwined. This position is perfect for intimate conversations.
- Another great horizontal pose is for one person to lie on their back while the other lies on their side facing the first person and resting their head on the chest. This is a good position for napping in.^{[3]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:
Snuggling Solo

1
Make yourself a hot drink and grab some munchies. Solo snuggling can get a little boring, so make sure to grab yourself some tasty treats to keep yourself entertained. Plus, a having warm drink like tea or hot cocoa is like getting a hug from the inside out!
2
Grab a blanket. If you're snuggling solo, you won't have another body next to you for comfort and warmth, so grab the biggest, comfiest blanket you can find and wrap yourself up in it.
3
Surround yourself with pillows. Make yourself a little pillow fort from all of the pillows you can find around the house. Put a couple behind your back and head, press one against your stomach and hold one between your legs (this one is surprisingly good!).
4
Invite a pet to come and join you. Okay, so this is cheating a bit on the "solo" part, but there's no denying that cats and dogs (or bunnies, chinchillas and other small furry creatures) make excellent snuggle buddies.^{[4]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do I know when to stop snuggling?

Community Answer

When your boyfriend/girlfriend says, "I do not want to snuggle" or tries to get some space. Snuggling in moderation is great, but too much can be suffocating.
Question

How long should I snuggle for exactly?

Kevin Schlosser

Community Answer

There is no specific time limit. As long as you and your partner are comfortable, you can snuggle for as long as you want.
Question

How do I get rid of the feeling (probably butterflies) in my stomach when I try to snuggle?

Community Answer

It will go away on its own after a bit. You will get more comfortable with this and you will feel happy and excited instead of nervous. Just snuggle a bit more and you will feel better.
Question

What do I do if she decides she doesn't want to snuggle?

Community Answer

Respect her personal space. Ask again once she feels more comfortable with you.
Question

How can I stop being awkward with your boyfriend?

Community Answer

Just be yourself. A relationship is always a little awkward at first, but the more time you spend with him, the easier it will get. Talk to him like you would any friend. Ask him how his day is going, etc. Try not to worry every second about what he's thinking of you. He's probably just as nervous as you are.
Question

How do I snuggle if I have a fear of intimacy and physical contact?

Community Answer

Consider seeking help from a mental health professional, as it sounds like it's a pretty serious issue that is affecting your well-being. You can also start small by holding hands, or just letting your partner place their hand on your arm or shoulder. Make sure you talk to your partner about all of this so they understand that things need to move slow.
Question

What is the difference between snuggling and cuddling?

Community Answer

There's no difference. These two words mean the same thing and are used interchangeably.
Question

How do I snuggle in public?

Community Answer

Try to find a more secluded area wherever you are. If this is not possible, keep your snuggling to hand-holding, or maybe resting your head on your partner's shoulder. You don't want to do too much snuggling in public, as you'll make people uncomfortable.
Question

I get really nervous when I snuggle and I start to sweat, which might make it uncomfortable. What can I do to avoid this?

Community Answer

Try to use some antiperspirant deodorant beforehand, and make sure the room is at a cool temperature. If you’re sweating because you’re nervous, just calm yourself, and remember that this is a perfectly normal thing for a couple to do. It’ll get better with time and experience.
Question

How do I get a boyfriend who will snuggle with me?

Community Answer

You'll find some good advice in Find the Perfect Boyfriend.

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Warnings

If you don't think you're ready to try all (or some) of this, don't worry. Wait until you're ready - then you can really enjoy it all.

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Helpful 320 Not Helpful 54
Don't hurt the guy. And don't let him hurt you. Everyone has their squeeze limit.

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Know your limits. Snuggling is very intimate and often leads to other more physical things. Don't let them push you to where you aren't comfortable, and don't push them to where they aren't comfortable.

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Don't push your way in there. Snuggling requires you to have already broken the touch barrier. If you can't hold hands, snuggling is probably not going to happen.

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Guys only apply this to a girl they actually like. Girls use this to get closer to a guy that she likes. Never play with a guy's or a girl's feelings, especially if it's because you want to make someone else jealous. It never ends well.

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