The Science Behind The Profound Power Of Holding Hands There’s something special about holding hands with another human being. All of us are innately conscious of how this simple act can stir an instant intimacy, heighten our awareness and express a deep connection. This alchemy of two hands touching has so deeply captured our collective imagination, it’s been the subject of our highest artistic achievements, from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, to the poetry of Romeo and Juliet, to the lyrics of the Beatles.
But what is it about holding hands, exactly, that makes it so powerful? In partnership with Dignity Health, we explored what science can tell us about this ubiquitous, mysterious gesture, and how it can affect our brains and physical well-being, as well as our relationships. Holding hands, we learn, has the power to impact…