Women Who Often Hug Their Partners, According To Study: Lower Stress Hormone Levels

YOGYAKARTA – Research traces the daily activities of couples. If you are a woman who is getting a lot of challenges, often hug your romantic partner. Because it is proven by studies that hugging a partner lowers stress hormone levels.

Cortisol, otherwise known as the stress hormone, is produced as a biological response. The research was conducted by Gesa Berretz and colleagues from Ruhr University, Bachum, Germany. The effect of the stress hormone production response was not seen in men when hugging their partner. So, what makes it different?

In some situations, the touch of a loved one can make a person better able to manage stress. This means that hugs can be combined with holding hands and loving communication. All these activities can reduce signs of stress in women.

Berretz conducted an analysis of 76 people in romantic relationships. All participants underwent a stress-inducing test in which they were asked to place one hand in a tub of ice water for three minutes while being observed and maintaining eye contact with the camera. Prior to this test, half of the couples were instructed to cuddle. The other half didn't hug before taking the test.

The stress indicator measured by the researchers was cortisol levels in the participants' saliva. The levels were checked before and after the experiment. The study, published in the journal PLOS, reported by Neuroscience News, analysis of the results revealed that women who hugged their partners had lower cortisol responses to stress tests than those who did not hug their partners. But in men there was no relationship between hugs and the cortisol response.

Another measure that corroborates the findings that hugs are beneficial for calming, namely changes in blood pressure and emotional state. In some situations, touch can buffer stress. This means, when you have an exam or job interview, try a quick hug from your partner. Because these activities can help you feel calmer, less nervous about taking exams, and lower cortisol levels.

Unfortunately the study did not explain why the benefits of hugs in relation to cortisol levels did not occur in men.