Physical contact may benefit mental health

By Sercan Irkin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Physical contact, including hugs, can alleviate pain, anxiety, and depression, according to scientists from Germany and the Netherlands.

The researchers found that even brief and gentle touches, no matter their frequency or duration, yielded positive effects on mental well-being across all age groups.

Also, physical contact with animals plays a key role in mental health as well, according to the research.

The researchers underscored the importance of parental contact with newborns, indicating that such interactions lay the foundation for mental well-being in later years.

The findings suggest that integrating physical contact into daily life can serve as a simple yet effective method to enhance overall mental health.

The research, published in the Journal of Nature Human Behavior, analyzed over 200 studies involving nearly 10,000 participants.

* Writing by Muhammed Yasin Gungor.