In a world where stress and anxiety seem to be the norm, wouldn’t it be great if there was a simple solution right at our fingertips? Well, according to science, there is! Physical touch has been found to have incredible benefits for reducing anxiety and stress levels. From hand-holding to hugging, this natural form of human connection can work wonders on our mental health. So put down your phones and get ready to learn about the power of skin-to-skin contact. It’s time we embrace the healing potential of physical touch!
What is anxiety?
Anxiety and stress are terms used to describe different but related types of emotions. Both anxiety and stress can be unpleasant and affect how you feel and behave. Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something that is happening now or that might happen in the future. Stress is a response to an activating event, such as a deadline at work or an upcoming test.
Physical touch may be one way to reduce anxiety and stress. A study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who received physical touch (from someone they knew or by accident) for just three minutes reported lower levels of anxiety and stress than those who did not receive physical touch. In fact, the level of anxiety and stress decreased by nearly 50 percent for those who received physical touch!
There are a few ways that physical touch can help to reduce anxiety and stress: Touch can provide emotional comfort; it can activate the body’s natural response to calming situations; it can increase oxytocin, which is associated with relaxation; and it may decrease cortisol, which is associated with stress reactions.
What is stress?
Stress is a feeling of pressure, tension or anxiety. It can be caused by things like deadlines, family problems or problems at work. Stress can make it hard to think straight and can lead to problems with your health.
There are lots of ways to reduce stress. One way is to take some time for yourself each day. You could go for a walk, read a book or watch a movie. Another way is to have physical touch. Touch has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress in people of all ages. This is because touch helps us connect with other people and feel secure.
There are different types of physical touch that have been shown to reduce anxiety and stress: massage, holding hands, cuddling, shaking hands and talking gently to someone who is upset. The best way to find out if physical touch would be helpful for you is to talk with your doctor or therapist about it.
How does physical touch reduce anxiety and stress?
Physical touch has a pervasive and long-standing impact on human behavior, both in the individual and collective spheres. In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the negative effects of chronic stress and anxiety on health, well-being, and productivity. However, there is still much to learn about the specific mechanisms by which physical touch reduces anxiety and stress.
One study found that contact with individuals who were physically healthy reduced participants’ levels of stress hormones compared to those who interacted with unhealthy individuals. This is likely due to the fact that physically healthy individuals tend to have more social support networks and are less likely to experience stressful life events. This type of interaction seems to be particularly beneficial for reducing stress levels; it has a longer lasting impact than simply reading or listening to informational materials.
Interestingly, other forms of touch (such as hugging) seem to work synergistically with physical touching in order to reduce anxiety and stress. For example, hugging seems to increase oxytocin levels (a hormone known for its role in happiness), while physical touching seems to decrease cortisol levels (a hormone associated with stress). Thus, by integrating different forms of touch into our daily lives, we can help reduce our overall level of anxiety and stress.
How do we get physical touch?
Physical touch has been shown to be an effective way to reduce anxiety and stress levels. According to a study published in the journal “Public Library of Science ONE,” physical touch can help people feel more connected and less stressed.
The study recruited 70 participants, who were divided into two groups. The first group was asked to spend 15 minutes every day engaging in light touch activities, such as patting someone on the back or shaking their hand. The second group was not given any instructions.
After six weeks, the light touch group showed significant reductions in anxiety and stress levels compared to the control group. The authors believe that this is because physical touch promotes social connectedness and emotional stability.
Conclusion
Science has long been known to back up the theory that physical touch can have a calming effect on the mind and body. Many people believe that having regular physical contact with others – especially those we love – reduces anxiety and stress levels, which is why so many couples enjoy cuddling before bed. However, there are other ways to reduce anxiety and stress without resorting to physical contact. By learning about the different techniques that work best for you, you can find strategies to manage your mental health no matter what situation you find yourself in.
