Why are hugs Important?

Frequent hugging and hand-holding can help to lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke. Hugging Boosts Self Esteem, and is proven to make us healthier and happier.

Unfortunately, most Western people today especially people in the United States are touch-deprived. Many people live solitary or busy lives with reduced social interaction and touching.

Here is why hugging is good for you

⦁ Hugging Improves Heart Health.

Frequent hugging and hand-holding can help to lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.

⦁ Hugs can make you happier

Oxytocin is a chemical in our bodies that scientists sometimes call the “cuddle hormone.” This is because its levels rise when we hug, touch, or sit close to someone else. Oxytocin is associated with happiness and less stress.

Scientists have found that this hormone has a strong effect in women. Oxytocin causes a reduction in blood pressure and of the stress hormone norepinephrine.

⦁ Hugs may help reduce your pain

Hugging is another form of touch that may help reduce pain. When we hug, our bodies release “feel good” hormones called endorphins, and our circulation is improved. These two things are natural pain-relievers that can benefit people who suffer from chronic pain conditions.

⦁ Hugging Reduces Stress Levels.

Studies show that hugs and other physical connections reduce levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, in the body. High levels of stress hormones can cause a whole host of health issues including sleep problems, skin problems, obesity, low immunity, and more.

⦁ Hugging Boosts Self Esteem.

Touch is a powerful language that we can use to convey feelings of safety, love, and connection to a greater community. When we are feeling down or lost, a hug can help ground us and remind us that we belong.

⦁ Hugging Improves Relationships.

Hugs can benefit all types of relationships for two main reasons. They are another form of communication that conveys messages and feelings that words can’t. It’s a deeper, more intimate level of connection that you simply don’t get from talking. The second reason is that physical touch causes the release of the “love hormone” oxytocin, which improves bonding and trust, and makes people feel closer to one another.

⦁ Hugs help you communicate with others

Most human communication occurs verbally or through facial expressions. But touch is another important way that people can send messages to one another.

Hugging is a very comforting and communicative type of touch.

How many hugs do we need?

Family therapist Virginia Satir once said, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” While that may sound like a lot of hugs, it seems that many hugs are better than not enough.

So, if you want to feel better about yourself, reduce your stress, improve communication, and be happier and healthier, it seems that giving and asking for more hugs is a good place to start.

Sources:

https://www.shebaonline.org/

https://selecthealth.org/

www.healthline.com