Learning as I go: the science behind hugs

In my high school psychology class, I was introduced to the importance of physical touch. We read about Frederick’s experiment where newborns were taken from their mothers at birth and placed in the care of nurses. King Frederick instructed them not to speak in earshot of the children or touch them. He was conducting a language experiment; however the children never developed a language of their own. Instead, they died. Without human interaction, they did not live. Scientists have studied the importance of human connection for years. During many of these experimental studies, they’ve discovered astounding results. Physical touch, more specifically, hugs, are beneficial to living a bette