They say that kissing and cuddling after sex leads to a more satisfying and happier relationship.

They advise post-sex cuddles can boost the affectionate side of a relationship. 
Promotes bonding and sexual satisfaction. Also Couples who spent extra time together reported feeling more satisfied.

Researchers found that kissing and cuddling after sex leads to a 
more satisfying and happier relationship, especially among parents.
Researchers found that kissing and cuddling after sex leads to a more satisfying and happier relationship, especially among parents.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Researcher say they key finding was that couples should set aside time for bonding after sex.
They say cuddling, kissing and intimate talk can have a positive effect - especially if the couple are parents.

In the online survey, participants reported that they engaged in affectionate behaviour for an average of 15 minutes after sex.
'When people think of sex, they tend to be focused on intercourse or orgasm,' said Amy Muise, a researcher at the University of Toronto Mississauga, who led the study.
'This research suggests that other affectionate aspects of sex are important for sexual and relationship satisfaction.'
Muise tested the correlation between post-sex affectionate behaviour (such as kissing, caressing and loving talk) and sexual and relationship satisfaction.
The two-part study, published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, used an online survey of 335 individuals, and a 21-day survey of 101 couples.
In the online survey, participants reported that they engaged in affectionate behaviour for an average of 15 minutes after sex.

In the second study, couples were asked to cuddle for a longer than average duration.
Muise’s research showed that couples who spent extra time together reported feeling more satisfied with both their sex lives and their relationship with their partner.
The afterglow of post-sex affection proved to be long lasting for couples, with participants reporting higher levels of satisfaction with their sex lives and relationships in a follow-up survey conducted three months later.
In the online survey, participants reported that they engaged in 
affectionate behaviour for an average of 15 minutes after sex.
In the online survey, participants reported that they engaged in affectionate behaviour for an average of 15 minutes after sex.


The researchers also found that engaging in post-sex affection, such as kissing, cuddling or affectionate talk, promoted bonding and sexual satisfaction, regardless of the frequency of intercourse.
One surprising finding was the importance of post-sex cuddling for couples with children.
'Parents often have less time for sex and romance.
'Time spent cuddling after sex had a stronger impact on their relationships than it did for non-parents,' Muise said.
'It is possible that additional bonding time after sex is even more important for couples who may face challenges finding time for intimate connection.
'If you are able, spend those extra moments with your partner.
'Make time for shared intimacy, such as cuddling, kissing and intimate talk.'

The study was published in the recent issue of Archives of Sexual Behavior. Download the study here.

Research was supported by funding from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and a University of Guelph-Humber Research Grant.