Studies show that holding hands can reduce pain and buffer stressful experiences. But its impact on brain activity suggests something more profound is going on. Q: I’m curious why humans hold ...

Why public hand-holding matters. Before delving into the reasons why your lover might avoid holding your hand in public, it’s important to understand why this gesture holds significance.

Holding hands with someone you love can have a powerful effect on our brains. According to the Washington Post, holding hands can help lower blood pressure, reduce pain and ease stressful situations.

Remember how Mom or Dad would hold your hands before they had something serious to tell you or gave you the old “birds and the bees” discussion? Yeah. 4. Firm—but not interlaced—grip.