Hugs help women cope with stress, even if it is short, because it reduces the body’s reactions in exhausting situations, the Daily Mail reported. The authors of the study from the Ruhr University in Bochum explain the effect of hugs in women by saying that they enjoy them more. The fairer sex also produce more oxytocin, which suppresses the production of the stress hormone cortisol.
The study included 76 couples aged 18 to 32 years. The researchers measured stress indicators such as cortisol levels in saliva, blood pressure, and mood swings. The stressful event was the immersion of the hand in ice water. According to the authors, the results show that “social touch can be a buffer against stress.” Previous research has shown that even holding hands can reduce stress in women. For many people, stress causes symptoms that interfere with their daily lives – headaches, stomach problems, anxiety, mental health problems, difficulty concentrating. Some become irritable, their sleep and diet change. Experts recommend that stressed people talk to friends, relatives or a doctor, or do breathing exercises. It also helps to plan before stressful events.
