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The power of touch has more benefits than you think 

By Brittany Doohan

Could a hug a day help keep illness away? Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh found that may be true. According to the research, a good support system and more frequent hugs can help protect people from the harmful effects of stress, like a weakened immune system, which can make it easier to get sick. More hugs resulted in less severe symptoms of illness, too. The results aren't too surprising when you consider that studies have also shown that a good support system is associated with better health outcomes when it comes to chronic diseases, like diabetes.

If that’s not enough to make you run and hug someone you love, here are three more benefits of hugs and touch:

• Hugs may help lower heart rate, blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol.
• When touched, your body releases the hormone oxytocin, which elevates your levels of attachment, connection, trust and intimacy.
• Adults who were frequently cuddled with and held as babies show fewer stress symptoms than their less-hugged peers. 

Published on April 29, 2016. 

Brittany Doohan is a health and lifestyle writer and editor living in San Francisco.