After abiding by the popular phrase of “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” for centuries, doctors are now recommending at least one hug a day to keep diseases at bay. Ample research supports the fact that hugging is the best medicine for healing sickness, disease, loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress. So, in this blog, I will be talking about the health benefits of hugging.
Understanding the science of healthy hugs
A paper published in PLOS One stated that a single hug can attenuate negative mood and this happens because the following hormones gush through your body when it senses a tender touch.
Dopamine: The pleasure hormone that makes you feel good.
Serotonin: The anti-depressant hormone that elevates mood, alleviate anxiety and decrease feelings of loneliness.
Oxytocin: The love hormone that relieves stress and boosts heart health.
In fact, a bunch of health benefits comes wrapped in a hug, not only for the receiver but also for the giver.
Also Read: 20 ways to be in a good mood
Health Benefits of Hugs
1. Hugs hold you from falling sick
In a study of over 400 adults, researchers found that hugging reduced the chance a person getting sick. Another study from Carnegie Mellon University proved that adults who indulge in hugs are less likely to fall sick and recover faster. This was credited to the stress-buffering effects of a hug.
Also Read: Health Benefits of kissing
2. Shoo your stress with a hug
An article in Clevelandclinic.org says that hugging a loved one has the same effect as that of meditation. It creates a stir of the feel-good hormones, relaxes the mind, and alleviates depression and anxiety. So, no matter what life throws at you take a deep breath and hug it out.
3. Hug make the heart-healthy
NCBI states frequent hugs and higher oxytocin levels are linked to lower blood pressure and heart rate which is especially good for premenopausal women. This is also supported by a study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill which stated that physical contacts can lead to reduced heart rates.
4. Hugs to relieve depression and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Hugs can increase the production of dopamine in your brain which is low in people with conditions like Parkinsonism and mood disorders like Depression. The increased level of dopamine works as a natural anti-depressant.
Also Read: Sex and intimacy
5. Relieving pain with a hug
Research has found that hugging releases endorphins, which can relieve pain by blocking pain pathways and soothe aches by increasing circulation to soft tissues.
How many hugs can do these wonders?
As psychotherapist Virginia Satir says “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”
Also Read: 10 ways to stay positive even when you are sick
A few Fun facts about Health Benefits of Hugging
A 10-second hug helps the body fight infections, ease depression and lessen fatigue.
A 20-second hug reduces the harmful effects of stress, relieves blood pressure and ensures a healthy heart.
Increasing the hug ratio results in reduced blood pressure, decreased cortisol, improved healing, reduced cravings, and better immunity.
So, even if you feel a bit strangled when the other person snuggles, you just remember how your body is interpreting this touch into health benefits.