Did you know that hugs have healing properties?
Physical affection such as hugging strengthens bonds between people, promoting a sense of connection and security in relationships.
The nurturing touch of a hug builds trust and a sense of safety and reassurance while reducing feelings of anxiety and fear. This helps with open and honest communication.
Hugs can instantly boost your oxytocin (also known as the “love hormone") levels, which heal feelings of loneliness, isolation, anger and promote feelings of happiness and contentment.
Regular physical touch, such as hugging, can improve emotional intelligence and empathy, making individuals more attuned to the emotions of others. Hugging provides a non-verbal way to express feelings, helping people communicate affection, empathy, and support.
Holding a hug for an extended time lifts serotonin levels, elevating mood and creating happiness.
Hugging can create a positive feedback loop by fostering a sense of support and belonging thereby encouraging more social interactions and enhancing social bonds.
Hugs strengthen the immune system. The gentle pressure on the sternum and the emotional charge this creates activates the Solar Plexus Chakra, which in turn stimulates the thymus gland. This regulates and balances the body's production of white blood cells, which keep you healthy and disease free.
Physical touch, including hugging, can reduce blood pressure, which helps lower the risk of heart disease.
Hugging boosts self-esteem. From the time we're born our family's touch shows us that we're loved and special. The associations of self-worth and tactile sensations from our early years are still imbedded in our nervous system as adults. Hugs, therefore, connect us to our ability to self love.
Hugs help lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which can alleviate stress and create a sense of calm.
Hugs balance out the nervous system. The skin response of someone receiving and giving a hug shows a change in skin conductance. The effect in moisture and electricity in the skin suggests a more balanced state in the parasympathetic nervous system.
Regular physical affection is crucial for healthy emotional and psychological development in children. Studies have shown that children who receive regular physical affection perform better academically, likely due to reduced stress and improved mental health. Additionally, hugs from caregivers help children develop secure attachment styles, which are critical for healthy relationships later in life.
Physical touch, including hugs, can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation and improve overall quality of life and emotional well-being for older adults.
Hugs provide numerous benefits that extend beyond simple physical touch. Have you hugged anyone today? Hug long! Hug Often!
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