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Why a hug is good for your health

Study shows hugging is good for your health.  Photo by Getty.
Study shows hugging is good for your health. Photo by Getty.

The study, by Carnegie Mellon University, involved looking firstly at the level of emotional support received by 400 people and then exposing them to a common cold virus.

According to the findings, published in Psychological Science, people who receive more hugs feel more supported by their family and friends and are less likely to become ill.

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Lead researcher Sheldon Cohen says they chose hugging as an example of social support because hugs "are typically a marker of having a more intimate and close relationship with another person."

She believes that the protective effect of hugs comes from the physical contact or because hugging provokes feelings of support.

“Either way, those who receive more hugs are somewhat more protected from infection,” she said.

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“We know that people experiencing ongoing conflicts with others are less able to fight off cold viruses,” she adds.

People who feel more supported are also believed to be partly protected from other stress-related conditions such as depression and anxiety.

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