How hugs help us keep stress and conflict at bay

WE all know how nice it is to get a hug now and then.

But now psychologists have confirmed the beneficial effects on our state of mind of such human contact – and say they can last into the next day.

The effects were the same whether the person was a man or woman, single or married and they can help us keep stress at bay and handle conflict with others.

Dr Michael Murphy, of Carnegie Mellon University in the US, said the effects of hugs on health and well-being may be important because conflict can cause psychological distress – increasing the risk of psychiatric illnesses and suicide.

Dr Murphy said: ‘Touch may buffer against these consequences by promoting a number of positive interpersonal processes thought to communicate care and inclusion and be protective in the face of conflict.’

He added that touch increased feelings of attachment, a greater feeling of partner support, higher relationship satisfaction, and ‘easier conflict resolution’.

The researchers interviewed 404 men and women every night for 14 consecutive days about their conflicts, how often they were hugged, and positive and negative moods.

Those who received a hug did not suffer as big a drop in positive feelings, nor as big a rise in negative feelings as those who had not been hugged.

The effects of hugs may have lingered too, as interviewees reported a continued reduction in negative feelings the next day.

While more research is needed to determine the possible mechanisms behind the beneficial effects of hugs, the findings suggest that they may be a simple, yet effective method of supporting those facing interpersonal distress.

Dr Murphy added: ‘Our study suggests that consensual hugs might be useful for showing support to somebody enduring relationship conflict.’ The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.