Researchers evaluated the effects of physical contact and touch on the health of children and adults and observed their beneficial effects
When we talk about health and wellness, we often focus on diet and exercise, forgetting something simple yet powerful: touch. Recent studies have shown how human touch can have profound effects not only on an emotional but also physical level.
Second Giuliano Packheiser and your team Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience at Ruhr University, touch is not just a gesture of affection, but a biological need that can directly influence our health. With German and Dutch researchers he evaluated 130 studies. Let’s look at these surprising effects in more detail.
How does touch influence our health?
Physical contact, from a simple handshake to a welcoming hug, can trigger a series of beneficial reactions in the body. According to research analyzed by the Packheiser team, touch can, for example, significantly reduce pain and improve the condition of people suffering from anxiety or depression.
“Touch has been extremely helpful for anyone suffering from pain, anxiety or depression,” says the researcher. “For cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension or tachycardia, such a strong effect was not found. Although touch can also help reduce symptoms somewhat, the effect was much weaker and lasted for a shorter time.”
Why is this so important?
To the C fibers on our skin they are activated with contact, bringing information to the brain about the nature of touch. If pleasant, it can release dopamine, known as the happiness hormone, improving mood and sense of satisfaction.
Although the impact of touch on cardiovascular health, such as hypertension or tachycardia, is less evident as studies have observed, it cannot be denied that it still contributes to the reduction of some symptoms. Therefore, even if in a more modest way, touch still brings benefits to these patients.
New blog post about @PsychToday on a great new meta article about the health benefits of touch @j_packheiser @helenahhartmann and their research team! https://t.co/aPNuIoZ5NW
— Sebastian Ocklenburg (@ocklenBLOG) April 14, 2024
Physical contact in the elderly and during pandemics
During the peak of Covid-19, the lack of face-to-face contact led to an increase in mental health problems among the global population. This phenomenon, called “skin hunger”, highlights how essential this closeness is to our well-being. In the elderly, especially in isolated environments such as nursing homes, this need is even more critical.
In addition to the psychological impact, therapeutic touch, such as massage and physical therapy, has been shown to be an effective means of accelerating injury healing and relieving chronic pain. Such practices are essential, especially in long-term treatments.
In short, science is just beginning to fully understand the broad spectrum of benefits that human contact can provide. From promoting physical health to strengthening affective and emotional bonds, the power of touch is a fascinating area that deserves more attention and research.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
