Receiving a hug or engaging in self-soothing touch reduces cortisol levels following a stressful experience

A new study suggests that self-soothing touch, such as placing a hand over one’s heart, offers similar stress-reducing benefits to being hugged by another person. The study, published in Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology, revealed that both self-touch and receiving a hug from a stranger lowered cortisol levels after a stress induction. ...

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