If you feel better when your beloved reaches out to hold your hand, you’re not alone.

A new study has revealed that holding hands with a loving partner has a striking physical effect on women. Scientists in the US found that when lovers touch, their breathing and heartbeats sync – and feelings of physical pain fade.

Their research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, is part of a growing body of scientific investigations into ‘interpersonal synchronisation’, whereby people begin to physiologically mirror the people they’re with.

Previous studies have shown that we subconsciously sync our footsteps to match those of the person we’re walking with, or adjust our posture to mirror a friend’s while we’re talking to them.

Something beautiful happens when you hold your lover’s hand, according to this study