Go ahead and cuddle. Science approves.
Go ahead and cuddle. Science approves.
“The simplest and most powerful way to connect with a loved one is through the power of touch,” says Jolene Hwee, director and counselling psychologist at Womancare Psychological Services, who also supervised couples in the Prudential Relationship Reconnect social experiment.
“Hugs can instantly boost oxytocin levels, which can alleviate feelings of loneliness and anger. Holding a hug for an extended time lifts serotonin levels, elevating overall mood. The nurturing touch of a hug builds trust, and this can facilitate open and honest communication.”
Go ahead and give your loved one a big hug today. As Virginia Satir, a respected family therapist, says:
“We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” Here are seven other ways hugs are good for you.
1 IMPROVES BONDING
Hugging makes you bond better with your partner. This is because when you’re hugging, your body releases oxytocin, a hormone that causes an increase in feelings of commitment and intimacy. Physical touch also makes you feel more connected. And it also encourages empathy and understanding, and builds trust between the two of you in a way that can’t be done through words alone.
2 BOOSTS YOUR IMMUNITY
Studies have been done where healthy adults were exposed to the common cold virus.
Those who said they received hugs more often had less or no signs and symptoms of infection. This is because hugging can lower the stress hormone in your immune system and increase the hormones that regulate the functioning of immune cells. So hug often and you can say goodbye to those pesky colds.
3 GOOD FOR YOUR HEART
Hugging decreases your heart rate, which, in turn, lowers your blood pressure. Especially if you’re feeling anxious, then you should get a hug from someone. It makes your heart rate slow down, while your blood pressure goes south too. A lower heart rate also reduces your risk of cardiac problems.
4 REDUCES STRESS
Hugging can make you forget about the cares of the world, even if only for a while.
It makes your muscles relax, therefore releasing all the tension in your body. When you’re hugging someone, it reduces the amount of cortisol – the stress hormone – produced in your body. It also sends calming messages to your brain so it’ll make you feel better as a result. A lower cortisol level also makes you sleep better, so reaching out for a hug before bedtime is a good idea.
5 A NATURAL PAIN RELIEVER
When you hug someone, endorphins are released, which then blocks pain pathways and relieves pain. It soothes any aches you’re having. So even if you feel lousy and don’t want anyone near you, get a hug from someone. It will make you feel better.
6 PUTS YOU IN A BETTER MOOD
Your brain increases its production of serotonin when you hug someone and this improves your mood. When you’re feeling lonely, hug someone, as it will make you feel less blue and thus improve your day.
And if you’re depressed, hugging is good for you too, as it makes your brain produce more dopamine, which is low in people who suffer from depression. So whether you’re feeling low or want to make someone feel better, a hug is a good solution.
7 IT FEELS REALLY GOOD
It really all boils down to this: Hugging just makes us feel good – full stop. We get a warm, fuzzy feeling because of the oxytocin released. And, honestly, who doesn’t like feeling like this?
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