I’m reading a book called “The Good Gut”. It’s about the influence we have on our gut bacteria and the influence it has on us.
I believe it is common knowledge that social contact is strongly correlated with longevity, and one of the reasons is less obvious, I quote from The Good Gut:
“It is possible that by exposing ourselves to other people’s microbes through social contact we could be inoculating our gut with a diverse array of beneficial microbes.”
The book cites studies in mice that support this concept. So we may have another positive side effect of cuddling!
Now, with Covid-19 still taking lives, this concept needs to be put aside, or taken with precautions for the present moment. I think when the pandemic ends, the positive benefits of contact can be experienced once again.
I have not finished the book yet, but I recommend it highly.