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The Power of a Hug: Non-Sexual Touch, Stress, and Closeness

Updated 2026-11-02 · Draft: awaiting expert review

Some evidence

A large meta-analysis supports mental health benefits of touch, and couple studies show links with mood and satisfaction. Many couple studies are observational.

Hugging, cuddling, and holding hands are linked to lower stress and a stronger bond. Here is what studies have found about everyday affectionate touch.

What the research shows

A large meta-analysis of more than 130 studies found that touch interventions reduced pain, anxiety, and feelings of depression in adults. Touch from a familiar person worked about as well as touch from a professional.

In a study of 404 healthy adults, people who received more hugs were partly protected against the extra risk of catching a cold that came with frequent conflict, and infected people who were hugged more had milder symptoms.

Women who reported more frequent hugs from their partner had higher levels of oxytocin, a hormone linked to bonding, and lower blood pressure and heart rate.

Touch and your relationship

In a diary study of dating couples, being touched by a partner during the day was linked to better mood and a greater sense of intimacy.

Affection after sex matters too: couples who spent more time cuddling and talking afterwards reported higher sexual and relationship satisfaction.

Easy ways to add more touch

  • A long hug when you say goodbye or reunite.
  • Hold hands on a walk or while watching something together.
  • Offer a shoulder or hand massage at the end of the day.
  • Make time for cuddling that is not a lead-up to sex, so it feels relaxing rather than like a request.
  • Ask what kind of touch your partner likes. Preferences differ, and it is always fine to say 'not now'.

This article is for education only and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting supplements, especially if you are pregnant, have a health condition, or take medication.

Sources

  1. A systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis of the physical and mental health benefits of touch interventions (Packheiser J et al.). Nature Human Behaviour, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01841-8
  2. Does Hugging Provide Stress-Buffering Social Support? A Study of Susceptibility to Upper Respiratory Infection and Illness (Cohen S et al.). Psychological Science, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614559284
  3. More frequent partner hugs and higher oxytocin levels are linked to lower blood pressure and heart rate in premenopausal women (Light KC et al.). Biological Psychology, 2005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2004.11.002
  4. Touch as an Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Process in Couples' Daily Lives (Debrot A et al.). Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167213497592
  5. Post Sex Affectionate Exchanges Promote Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction (Muise A et al.). Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0305-3

We summarise research in our own words and link to the original. We do not copy text or images from these sources.