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Holding hand of loved one can reduce stress, scientific study suggests

February 17, 2006 by andymerrett 

Neuroscientists studying the brain have found that women in close marriage relationships feel significantly lower levels of stress when holding their husband’s hand than at other times.

The soothing effect of the touch could be seen in scans of areas deep in the brain that are involved in registering emotional and physical alarm.

The women received significantly more relief from their husbands’ touch than from a stranger’s, and those in particularly close marriages were most deeply comforted by their husbands’ hands, the study found.

The reverse also appears to be true: the withdrawal of affection heightens signs of stress and anticipation of pain.

Read the full article: Holding loved one’s hand can calm jittery neurons

Comments

3 Responses to “Holding hand of loved one can reduce stress, scientific study suggests”

  1. Alma on February 17th, 2006 2:15 am

    This very true. I love hoding hands with my husband– and it help and does ease anxiety…he doesn’t even have to open his mouth! Same way with my children.

  2. Alma on February 17th, 2006 2:15 am

    This very true. I love hoding hands with my husband– and it help and does ease anxiety…he doesn’t even have to open his mouth! Same way with my children.

  3. Andy on February 17th, 2006 10:47 am

    It’s amazing how what seems like the simple things can have a profound effect. It certainly works for my wife and I, too.

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