For me, it depends on who is doing the touching/hugging. If it is someone I care about and trust, then a hug means the world when I need one. I'm not a touchy/feely person so I don't crave human touch a lot. If I'm stressed out though, and my husband hugs me at just the right time, it can be very calming. A lot of times, if my husband rubs my arm or leg as I'm having a panic attack, his touch will help ground me.

I do believe that the human touch can be healing for the soul, unfortunately, so many things keep us from having that sort of interaction with other human beings: judging by society, trust, disease, fear, etc...etc...