Picture this: You’re crazy about your partner, but one of you craves constant hugs and hand-holding while the other prefers one meaningful cuddle at night. Does this mismatch doom your relationship? Or can love survive different love languages? A November 2025 study in Personal Relationships finally finds and answer to this – and it’s way more hopeful than any social media relationship gurus claim.The touch myth in relationshipsWe have often heard and believed that more hugs in a relationship, means that it is going good. But what if you’re in a relationship with someone who prefers having their personal-space over cuddling all the time? Are you doomed? Well, new research says NO.What the science actually saysResearchers analyzed two massive datasets: nearly 2,000 individuals plus couples who both participated. They measured their relationship happiness (satisfaction, trust, passion) with respect to their touch comfort levels – both private cuddles and public display of affection (PDA). And here’s what they found:1. Higher average touch comfort means happier relationships. Couples who are okay with hugs, kisses, closeness report stronger bonds. Also private touch mattered most, which means bedroom intimacy predicts better relationship satisfaction than PDA.2. Mismatch in one’s expectation of physical touch doesn’t destroy love. In fact, these perceived gaps in one’s need for physical touch hurts more than actual differences. This means: If you think your partner hates cuddling, you’ll feel rejected. But if you’re both generally comfortable with physical touch, small differences barely make any difference.In the study, it was noted that same-sex and mixed-sex couples showed identical patterns. This shows that touch matters universally in all relationships.Why mismatched touch doesn’t have to break youThe reality is that perfect touch alignment between couples is rare. While one partner needs constant cuddles, the other might not– and that’s completely normal.The happiest touch secretFor couples, feeling “in sync” matters more than technical matching. And so, partners who believe the other cares about their needs report higher satisfaction in their relationship.What are your views on this? Tell us in the comment section below.
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