Just more data to provide evidence to what we know to be true: caring touch can be healing and protective!
Non-sexual, caring touch was taught to one group of research study participants ("intervention group"), specifically called "listening-touch", taught couples to increase their awareness of their partner's mood by touching their shoulders, neck and hands. Neck and shoulder massage was also taught.
The second group ("control group") of research study participants were told to not change any behaviors, and to keep a record of their physical affection and mood.
The findings were: the intervention group had more oxytocin ("love hormone") and less amylase ("stress hormone") in their bodies than the control group, and men's blood pressure actually decreased after four weeks!
The researches said, "Our data suggest that warm partner contact may be particularly cardioprotective for men."
I think this is fascinating, that simply touching your partner in a warm, caring way, and increasing your awareness about their mood can not only decrease stress, it may act as a protective factor against heart disease!
What do you think of these findings?
Source:
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2009/01/09/eline/links/20090109elin005.html