It makes sense that a hug or a massage makes
you feel good – touch releases the “love” hormone oxytocin in our brain. But
this kind of affectionate contact has a few other surprising benefits.
“Men
between 40 and 70 are happier in long-term relationships where frequent hugs
relationships where frequent hugs and kisses abound”
Touch can
…
make you feel more generous.
Feeling crabby? Holding a hot mug of coffee
or tea in your hands, rather than a cold drink, puts you in a more caring frame
of mind, finds a US study. If you want someone to listen to your point of view,
however, sit them in a comfortable chair. The same researchers found that
people who sat on hard chairs were less willing to compromise.
…
strengthen your connection.
Consider walking arm in arm more than just
a nice romantic gesture. Women who supported their partners when they were in
pain by holding their arms showed increased activity in the reward centre of
their brain, say US scientists. And the more activity their brains showed, the
more connected they reported feeling.
“Consider
walking arm in arm more than just a nice romantic gesture”
…
boost your bone heath
French researchers recently discovered that
older women with severe osteoporosis had low levels of oxytocin. So it seems
that an oxytocin-raising bear hug could be as good for your bones as a glass of
milk. And, according to US research, your partner should be willing to help
out. A 2011 Kinsey Institute study found that men between 40 and 70 are happier
in long-term relationships where frequent hugs relationships where frequent
hugs and kisses abound.
Did you know?
Regular aromatherapy massages are more
effective at reducing menopausal symptoms than massages with unscented oil, say
Iranian researchers.
