In the News (Association for Psychological Science): “If you’re worried about catching a cold, there’s a simple act that may protect you against the virus and help you feel better right away: hug someone.

“Hugging can help prevent a cold virus or lessen symptoms in people who are already sick, according to a recent study published in Psychological Science.

“’We’re told to avoid sweaty, germy handshakes during cold and flu season, but the warm embrace of a close friend or loved one may actually improve immune system functioning,’ says Sheldon Cohen, a professor of psychology at Carnegie Mellon University and lead author of the study.

“Stress lowers the body’s defenses against viruses and other pathogens, research has shown.

“People who were stressed —but got hugs —were less likely to become infected with the virus. Hugs made no difference among those who weren’t stressed in terms of developing an infection.

“Those who did develop an infection with the virus were less likely to feel sick if they’d been hugged in the prior two-week period. The more days someone was hugged, the lower the risk of infection (among those who were stressed). Similarly, the more days someone was hugged, the less likely they would experience cold symptoms when infected with the virus.”

My Comment: The laws of nature are true at all levels. Therefore, convergence is always for the good, and it can cure all human ills!
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