A recent clinical study suggests that touch reduces stress and anxiety: when a subject touched the hand of a loved one, centres of the brain concerned with fear and danger became less active.

At the Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, over 100 studies have shown the positive effects of touch on medical conditions.

Their studies indicate the benefits of touch to include:

• weight gain in preterm infants;
• increased attentiveness in children;
• reduced pain;
• reduced stress hormones and
• improved immune function.

In fact, some researchers suggest that, as a result of its effect on the immune system, wound-healing and resistance to infection is improved by touch.

Hugging also causes the release of a hormone called oxytocin, which Swedish researchers have show is associated with reduced levels of stress hormones, promotion of growth and healing and social bonding.

So make time for a hug with someone special and, hey, you might just be improving the quality of your health today!

Photo: courtesy Mr Patterson Snr

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