Hugs and touch: what research says about the health benefits
Social ConnectionKey points
- Hugs buffered the effect of stress on the risk of catching a cold.
- People who were hugged had milder cold symptoms.
- Meta-analysis: touch reduces pain, anxiety and depression.
- Touch must be wanted by both people.
What the research shows
Hugs and colds. In a Carnegie Mellon study, 404 healthy adults reported their daily social support, conflicts and hugs for two weeks and were then exposed to a cold virus. Perceived support and frequent hugs reduced the risk of infection associated with stress from conflict, and among those who got sick, more hugs were linked to milder symptoms (Cohen et al., 2015).
Meta-analysis. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 137 studies with about 13,000 participants found that touch interventions reduced pain, depression and anxiety and improved some physical health measures in both adults and newborns (Packheiser et al., 2024).
In practice
- Offer hugs to family and friends who welcome them.
- Hold hands with your partner.
- Consider massage, which also showed benefits.
- Always respect consent and others’ boundaries.
Frequently asked questions
Does touch from a pet or a weighted blanket count?
The meta-analysis found benefits from touch by humans and, to a lesser extent, by objects and robots.
How often should I hug?
There is no prescription. Regular, wanted affection with people you trust is what counts.
Sources
- Cohen et al. (2015). Does Hugging Provide Stress-Buffering Social Support? A Study of Susceptibility to Upper Respiratory Infection and Illness. Psychological Science 26(2):135-147. doi:10.1177/0956797614559284
- Packheiser et al. (2024). A systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis of the physical and mental health benefits of touch interventions. Nature Human Behaviour 8(6):1088-1107. doi:10.1038/s41562-024-01841-8
- Kramer et al. (2019). Dog Ownership and Survival. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes 12(10). doi:10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.119.005554
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