star-crossed lovers, or me and my cat Mr. Mittens curled up on the couch binge watching

Orange Is the New Black.

Hey cuddle bugs, it's Natalia for DNews!

I don't know about you, but I'm the type of person that thoroughly enjoys cuddling!

In fact, I fancy myself as a competitive spooner.

I can easily switch from little to big spoon while deftly maintaining my soothing effectiveness.

But did you know cuddling has some pretty amazing health and relationship benefits?

Physical contact, like cuddling, helps build bonds and form intimacy between participants.

Intimacy, in turn, builds trust which makes for stronger relationships.

The reason being is that touch increases the release of oxytocin, a neuropeptide, which

promotes trust, devotion, and bonding.

In fact, oxytocin is often called the “cuddle hormone”.

A recent study in England was able to find the area of the brain that reacts to touch.

Researchers discovered that a light touch on the arm made the orbital frontal cortex

light up, like it does when one experiences other rewarding stimuli.

These findings suggest that cuddling has the biological ability to build connections!

A study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationship focused on a sample

of 397 couples in committed relationships and found that the initiation of physical

contact, regardless if it led to nookie or not, positively affected the relationship.

A University of Toronto study has also shown that post coital cuddles can be the key to

relationship happiness and success.

Participants filled out a survey about their foreplay, love making duration, and post coital

cuddling practices and results found that what came AFTER the main event seemed to have

the greatest effect in terms of relationship satisfaction.

However, cuddling is not for everyone.

Some folks aren't so keen on snuggling up.

But, take heed, anti-embracers!

Science says physical touch is actually good for your health...

In fact, science even says hugs can stave off illness while keeping you feeling connected

to others.

Studies have shown that hugs led to decreased levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Sure, some can argue that more hugs mean more potential contact with pathogens, but because

hugs help decrease stress that can be more harmful to your health in the long-run, they're

worth the risk!

And since cuddling is like one big hug with your whole body, it's a perfect way to relieve

stress.

So science says, go ahead, get your cuddle on!

Some people don't like touch at all.

Autistic animal behaviorist Temple Grandin was adverse to touch as child.

She suffered from tantrums and didn't speak.

As she grew older she realized the importance of touch and hugging as a way to reduce anxiety

and alleviate her symptoms.

She sought to develop a device that could help autistic individuals, children with ADHD,

and animals learn to tolerate touch with the goal of reducing anxiety.

The device she developed was called “The Squeeze Machine” and was marketed as a 'hug

machine' that provides deep tissue touch.

The device has proved effective in children, adults, and animals.

Cuddling is wonderful.

And it's one of the best ways to show someone you love that you care...and it sometimes

it leads to a kiss.

But don't forget, every kiss begins with Kay.

Touch is a huge part of how we experience the world, we are touching things constantly

every single day, but do you get the science behind touch?

Julia does in her video here.

Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe for DNews every day of the week!

Huh, all this talk about cuddling makes me want a hug

Do you guys like to cuddle?

Or would you prefer a squeeze machine?

Tell us down in the comments below and don't forget to hit subscribe for more DNews episodes

every day of the week.