SD | UK
The power of touch and social connections helps people to cope with an increasingly stressful world as indicated by a recent decline in mental health. Gentle, caring touch plays a significant role in strengthening interpersonal bonds and enhancing mental health. It is often referred to as affective or consoling touch, and has been linked to many health benefits including enhanced social connection and trust, stress and pain reduction, and better mental health. As a Konstanz-based researcher and his team observe, caring, gentle social touch can also play a significant role in the lives of animals and may even allow for the evolution of cooperation.