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7 surprising facts about love and intimacy

  1. Hugs noticeably reduce stress.
    Even a 20-second close hug can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and simultaneously release the bonding hormone oxytocin ( Alalloway, 2022 ). The result: We feel more relaxed and secure – an effect that is scientifically measurable.
  2. Holding hands synchronizes heartbeat and relieves pain.
    When lovers hold hands, their heart and even brain waves synchronize. Experiments have also shown that physical touch through hand-holding can reduce pain. It's as if the body receives a signal through closeness: You are not alone. In fact, a 2018 PNAS study demonstrates that when partners hold hands, breathing and heart rate synchronize, and pain perception decreases ( Goldstein et al., 2018 ).
  3. Heartbreak "hurts." That's true in the truest sense of the word.
    Intense emotional rejection or separation activates the same areas in the brain as real physical pain. The saying about a "broken heart" therefore has a basis in reality: Our brain processes social pain in a very similar way to a physical injury ( Kross et al., 2011 ).
  4. A lack of physical closeness can be harmful to health.
    When physical affection is lacking for an extended period, people react with longing and stress. According to studies, persistent lack of touch is associated with increased loneliness, anxiety, and even elevated stress levels ( Morales-Brown, 2021 ). Physical closeness is therefore more important for our well-being than many realize.
  5. Distance can even strengthen love.
    Surprisingly, 65% of couples in long-distance relationships report that the experience of distance ultimately strengthened and deepened their relationship ( White, 2024 ). Overcoming the distance together bonds many couples and allows them to master challenges as a team.
  6. Frequent cuddling lowers blood pressure and pulse.
    Couples who frequently hug or are physically close also benefit physically: their blood pressure and heart rate are, on average, lower, which is associated with higher oxytocin levels and less stress. Closeness signals security to the body – an effect that pays off in terms of health.
  7. Feelings can be "transmitted" through touch.
    Researchers have discovered that humans can convey a surprisingly accurate range of emotions through touch alone. Without speaking a word, affection, comfort, or joy can be expressed through touch. Our sense of touch is a direct line to the heart ( Suttie, 2015 ).
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