Cuddling parties in Trossingen: closeness without taboos – this is how it works!

Cuddling parties in Trossingen: closeness without taboos – this is how it works!

There is a very special initiative in Trossingen that invites people to experience closeness and security in a new way. Melanie Herbst, who moved from Stuttgart to the Tuttlingen district three years ago, launched the first cuddle parties in 2024. Their concept aims to serve basic human needs for physical contact and closeness without the focus being sexual. These events take place in a safe space where participants can engage in relaxing, non-sexual touching. Schwäbische.de reports that five to six such events have now taken place in Trossingen, each attracting up to twelve people.

What exactly happens at a cuddle party? First there is an introduction explaining rules and boundaries. Participants can say “no” or withdraw at any time. The evening begins with movement and perception exercises before moving onto the mattresses that are laid out on the floor. Melanie Herbst herself doesn't take part in cuddling, but rather takes care of the well-being of those present. It is also important to pay attention to personal hygiene - after all, no one wants to be confronted with unpleasant smells.

Physical contact as a basic human need

Physical contact is essential for people and contributes significantly to physical and mental well-being. However, society often offers little space for this form of closeness. The cuddle parties create a safe atmosphere in which people can experience contact in a playful way. They promote experimentation with touch and closeness and help participants to better perceive and express their own limits. Participants are mostly over 30 years old, but younger and older people are also welcome, so there is something for everyone. The cuddle party emphasizes that the evenings are also intended for couples who value the experience of cuddling together.

The cost for one evening is 25 euros, and the next cuddle party will take place on January 30th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. An exciting aspect of these events is that they are not just for singles, but for anyone who wants to touch each other in a relaxed setting.

Scientific basis

From a scientific point of view, touch is of great importance - and not just for infants, who depend on physical closeness for healthy development. Adults also benefit from physical contact as it plays an important role in social relationships. A study shows that emotions such as fear, love or gratitude can be communicated through touch. These findings support the idea behind cuddle parties: people can discover new facets of closeness and expand their emotional horizons in a supportive environment. ARD Alpha describes how oxytocin, the so-called “cuddle hormone,” is released after touch and helps reduce stress and build trust.

Melanie Herbst, who works part-time as a mechanical engineer, has created an important niche through her commitment to cuddle parties, which offers people in today's often isolated society an opportunity to find each other again and give space to their own needs for closeness. In this way, a seemingly simple need becomes a valuable culture of life and a step towards more mindfulness in dealing with one another.