A new study published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour on April 8 confirmed that physical touch, including hugs, can contribute to a person’s overall well-being.
A research team from Bochum, Duisburg-Essen and Amsterdam analysed over 130 international studies with around 10,000 participants for the study.
Researchers found that physical touch can reduce pain, anxiety, and depression in people of all ages.
Even short, gentle touches have an effect and have the ability to alliviete symptoms of pain, anxiety, and depression.
Apart from physical touch, non-living things like weighted blankets and body pillows can also offer comfort. However, physical touch from a human or animal remains on top.
According to the researchers, both adults and infants benefit from touch. In case of infants, it is important that it is the parents who administer the touch.
The research team also cautioned about touch being consensual as only that improves the well-being of patients in clinical scenarios and healthy people alike.