Simple way to relieve depression and anxiety that you can’t even imagine

Something that many of us already intuited has now been confirmed by a study: touch can help alleviate depression and anxiety.

Published in the journal Nature Human Behavior, the research covered 212 previously published studies and included a statistical analysis of 85 studies involving adults and 52 involving newborns.

Among the results, the team found that touch was as beneficial for mental health as it was for physical health.

According to the researchers, the work illustrated that tactile interventions were not only able to reduce pain, depression and anxiety in adults and children, but also helped increase weight gain in newborns.

The analysis revealed that humans gained similar benefits in terms of physical health when touched by other humans and by objects – such as robots or weighted blankets.

Despite this, the positive impact on mental health was greater for human touch than for touching objects.

Interesting discoveries

Among other results, the team found that touch was beneficial for both healthy and sick people.

However, the impact on mental health was even greater among patients.

The type of touch and its duration were not important, although greater frequency resulted in greater benefits in adults.

Another interesting finding is that touching the head yielded more health benefits than touching other parts of the body.

The researchers said, however, that the work could not offer more specific conclusions, such as the specific types of touch that may yield the most specific health benefits.

Other ways to relieve depression and anxiety

Regular physical activity, such as walking, running, swimming or yoga, can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by promoting the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters that improve mood.

Furthermore, a healthy, balanced and nutrient-rich diet can play an important role in mental well-being.

Last but not least, adequate sleep is essential. To do this, avoid caffeine and electronics before bed, and create a sleep-friendly environment in your bedroom.

How to identify the onset of depression?

At the onset of depression, one may notice a persistent feeling of sadness or emptiness, a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyed.

Additionally, changes in sleep and appetite can be important indicators.

This includes difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, as well as loss of appetite or significant weight gain for no apparent reason.

Another aspect is changes in thinking patterns and cognitive abilities.

Individuals in early depression may experience difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, and persistent negative thoughts about themselves, the world, and the future.

Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness may arise, as well as low self-esteem and self-confidence.

In addition, physical symptoms such as persistent fatigue, unexplained pain, muscle tension and gastrointestinal problems may also be present.