When a small child falls and gets hurt, he seeks comfort in his mother’s arms. People who have received a strong emotional shock also instinctively hug. Why do we do this? Scientists may have found out the causes of the hugging phenomenon.
By gathering information from 212 previously conducted studies, German and Dutch specialists have gained a better understanding of how physical contact with an emotionally close person helps to cope with psychological distress and physical pain.
ALL TOUCH WORKS
A team of researchers from the Ruhr University Bochum in Germany and the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience looked at research data covering the experiences of 12,966 people. And they helped to gain insight into the importance of touch in alleviating pain, depression and anxiety.
“We previously knew about the importance of touch in improving health, but despite many studies, it was still unclear how to use it optimally, what response to expect and what the influencing factors are,” in the journal Nature Human Behaviour writes neuroscientist Julian Pakheiser from Ruhr University.
Their work suggests that touching the head or face is most effective. In addition, the most positive response in both adults and children is caused by shorter and more frequent touches.
Interestingly, even the touch of objects can help relieve physical pain. It is not for nothing that after bruises, people tend to apply a cold metal cutlery to the injured area. This discovery strengthens the vision for the use of robots in patient care. The authors of the paper stress that inanimate beings cannot help against psychological experiences.
SPECIAL ABILITY OF TOUCH
Newborns are very sensitive to touch. It is important for them to feel the direct touch of their parents, because it is more comforting than the hands of a nurse or contact with another stranger. As time passes and the emotional bond with parents weakens, this factor no longer plays such an important role. However, the very need for physical contact remains.
The authors of the work explain the role of hugs in soothing pain with the fact that after a person is born, touch develops the fastest of all the senses. A baby mostly gets to know the world around him through his mouth and nose, even if he is not yet aware of his body. Consequently, evolution may have given touch the ability to comfort in anxious moments. Moreover, it can take different forms – from light touches and caresses to tight hugs.
“The study clearly shows that touch can be adapted to needs, but the most important factors are not always what we think they are,” emphasizes Christian Keyser from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, drawing attention to the study’s findings that touch traditions tend to be present in every culture and even in families. different. Namely, in some nations, a tight hug may not help to calm down, but may cause additional discomfort. Therefore, scientists recommend always asking for permission before physical contact. A simple question “can I hug you?” gives a grief-stricken person the opportunity to decide for himself whether he wants to be comforted in this way.
