Stressed Out? Take a Hands-On Approach

Whether it’s a long day at the office or a toddler who’s decided you’re not the boss of him, you need a tension reliever—now. So, grab your partner’s hand and hold on. Aaaaaahhhh. That’s better.

You’re not imagining it. A study of married couples showed that when a woman held her partner’s hand in a stressful situation, both her body and her brain calmed down. No partner available? Even holding a stranger’s hand can help, according to the study.

Psychological Science, Vol. 17, No. 12