The closeness of a couple and how happy they are in their relationship is reflected in the distance between them as they sleep, a new study has claimed. 
 
 Partners who slept less than an inch apart were more likely to be content with their relationship than those maintaining a gap of more than 30 inches between them. 
 
 Couples who spent the night touching were also happier than partners who upheld a “no touching rule” while asleep, according to the survey which looked at the responses of 1,000 people. 
 
 The study found the overwhelming majority (86 per cent) of couples who slept less than an inch away from each other claimed to be happy with their relationship compared with two-thirds (66 per cent) who slept more than 30 inches apart. 
 
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 It also revealed the most popular positions, with almost half (42 per cent) lying back to back, and nearly a third (31 per cent) facing the same direction. Four per cent face one another. 
 
 Twelve per cent of couples spent the night less than an inch apart while just 2 per cent slept more than 30 inches apart. 
 
 University of Hertfordshire psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman, who led the study, said: "One of the most important differences involved touching. Ninety four per cent of couples who spent the night in contact with one another were happy with their relationship, compared to just 68 per cent of those that didn't touch. 
 
 The study was conducted as part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival. Prof Wiseman is the author of Night School, which examines the science of sleep and dreaming. 
 
 Additional reporting by PA ||||| It is possible to tell how happy a couple are together by measuring the distance between them as they sleep, scientists have found. 
 
 Partners who slept less than an inch apart were more likely to be content with their relationship than those maintaining a gap wider than 30 inches, a study concluded. 
 
 In addition, more couples who made physical contact through the night were happier than those with a "no touching" rule while trying to sleep. 
 
 The survey of 1,000 people, conducted as part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival, also revealed the most popular sleep positions of couples, with 42 per cent lying back-to-back, 31% facing the same direction and 4% facing one another. 
 
 Twelve per cent of couples spent the night less than an inch apart while just 2 per cent were separated by more than 30in. 
 
 Professor Richard Wiseman, a psychologist of the University of Hertfordshire who led the study, said: "One of the most important differences involved touching. Ninety four per cent of couples who spent the night in contact with one another were happy with their relationship, compared to just 68% of those that didn't touch. 
 
 "This is the first survey to examine couples' sleeping positions, and the results allow people to gain an insight into someone's personality and relationship by simply asking them about their favourite sleeping position." 
 
 The study found that 86 per cent of couples who slept less than an inch away from each other claimed to be happy with their relationship compared with 66 per cent who slept more than 30in apart. 
 
 Out-going extroverts tended to spend the night close to their partners, and more creative individuals were more likely to sleep on their left hand side. 
 
 Prof Wiseman, the author of Night School, which examines the science of sleep and dreaming, agreed other factors such as a partner’s snoring could have a bearing on how close couples slept to each other and said some individuals needed to face away from their partner because they couldn’t tolerate someone breathing on them. 
 
 “The key issue is if you have a couple who used to sleep close together but are now drifting further apart in bed, then that could symptomatic of them growing apart when they are awake,” he said. "Change in a couple's sleeping habits is the important factor." 
 
 How far away do you sleep from your partner? 
 
 Do you have a "no touching rule" when asleep?
– It may be better for your health to sleep in a separate bed than your partner—but a new study finds that the happiest couples are those who sleep close together. Very close together, as in less than an inch apart. A survey of 1,000 people found that those who kept such close parameters had an 86% chance of reporting they were satisfied in their relationship, compared to 66% for those who slept 30 inches apart or more, the Telegraph reports. Another predictor of relationship happiness: touch. While 94% of couples who made physical contact throughout the night reported a happy relationship, just 68% of couples who kept their distance did the same. The survey also looked into how, exactly, the couples slept together: 42% back-to-back, 31% facing the same direction, and 4% face-to-face. The happiest positions? Well, according to the Independent, 91% of people who reported sleeping with their backs touching also reported a happy relationship, as did 91% of people who reported facing the same direction while touching (so, "spooning" would qualify). But if you've just always needed your personal space, no worries: "The key issue," says the lead researcher, "is if you have a couple who used to sleep close together but are now drifting further apart in bed, then that could symptomatic of them growing apart when they are awake." (What does all this say about these celebrity couples who don't share a bed?)