Benefits of Hugging: Hug For Health

This week the theme of hugging keeps coming to my life and sessions.  I regularly advise couples as part of their therapy to greet each other every day – hugging with full body contact. I know that some people are huggers, and others are hug avoiders.  Whichever you are you may want to learn the miraculous effects of a simple hug. You may then, perhaps welcome more hugs in your life.

Health Benefits of Hugging

Most of us who are lucky enough have experienced the good sensations aroused when we hug.  I mean a proper deep hug where the hearts are pressing together for 10 to 20 seconds.  Scientists have researched the effects of hugs in great detail:

• Hugging releases oxytocin. This hormone is shown to promote the feelings of trust, safety, acceptance and devotion.  20 seconds long hugs will create even stronger bond between people.  The other hormone secreted with a proper hug is serotonin which improves your mood whilst reducing feelings of depression, pain and sadness.
• Hugging is soothing. When you embrace the stress hormone cortisol is immediately reduced.  You also send signals to the part of your brain responsible for slowing your heart and lowering your blood pressure, your stress levels come down naturally.   As a result you develop a stronger heart which prolongs your life.
• Hugging activates your solar plexus which regulate white blood cells. These are what make a strong immune system. They are the gate keepers against illness and disease. You will also age slower as hugging helps to stretch the facial muscles, erase age lines and generally balance out our nervous systems.
• Hugging becomes even more important for older people. Studies have shown that loneliness, particularly with age, can also increase stress and have adverse health effects. As health becomes more fragile with age, physical contact, especially deep hugging, provides a sense of social bonding thus decreasing feelings of loneliness and worries about being ill and dying.
• Couples who hug more have more empathy and understanding for each other and they are more likely to stay together. Hugging creates synergy, which means that the two people involved achieve together more than they can achieve individually.  This enables them to move beyond the  ‘It is unfair, I am right Syndrome’. Hugging also builds trust and a sense of safety, helps with open and honest communication and improves self-esteem.
• Deep embrace brings the two people into the present moment helping them to let go of what is not ultimately important, so they can flow with the energy of life.

Health Benefits of Hugging Babies and Children

In the mother’s womb, the tiny foetus is immersed in the amniotic fluid, that is why infants are soothed by touch.

When a baby is comforted and hugged consistently they learn they are loved and safe.  As we grow, our senses of self worth and confidence also grow with the help of these early experiences.   We learn to sooth, love and care for ourselves as adults through regular loving hugs from our families as we grow up.

Studies show that babies who are hugged are found to cope better under stress, as adults.  This is so because all the cuddles we receive while growing up are imprinted in our cells.

So when your child is hurt after the first aid is finished and the child is safe, you can hug them plenty.  It is found that hugging relaxes muscles; reduces tension, and sooths pain by increasing circulation in the soft tissues.

You cannot spoil your child with hugs.  Hug them often, and each time as long as they need it. To make sure of that always be the last one to let go!

Increasing Your Daily Hugging Habits

It seems it will be wise to introduce more hugs in our lives to boost ours, our children’s and our elderly parents’ health. Needless to say, if you have health problems hug for health!

Do you feel there are enough hugs in your daily life?  If not let’s start greeting each other with hugs rather than handshakes.

I would love to hear from you; how hugging is changing you and those around you.

Please like, tweet and share this and invite your social network to be part of spreading happiness and health!

Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)image:Tania Cataldo