All it takes is a touch for better mental health

A welcomed touch, whether long or short, can have a positive effect on a person’s state of mind. — dpa

A gentle touch, a relaxing massage or a firm hug – all these kinds of human contact can alleviate pain, depression and anxiety in adults and children, according to a new analysis of more than 130 international studies.

Not only human touch, but also that of robots and cuddly toys makes a difference, according to the analysis, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour by a research team based in Germany and the Netherlands.