Touch has been found to have significant benefits on both physical and mental health, according to research. A study involving 12,966 participants across 212 studies revealed that touch can reduce pain, depression, and anxiety, with positive effects observed in children and adults. The most effective type of touch is head and face touches, while shorter, more frequent touches yield better results.
Research also showed that touch from humans is more beneficial than touch from objects like robots. While newborns greatly benefit from parental touch, familiarity with the touch becomes less important as we age. Researchers emphasize that touch can be optimized for its effectiveness but that consent is crucial.
The data suggests that spending more time in physical contact can enhance overall health. Touch is considered essential as it’s the first sense to develop and impacts well-being significantly. Researchers advise not to hesitate to hug loved ones, ensuring consent for mutual benefit.