I’m always really happy to have a hug from people I care about, and who I know care about me.
That’s because hugging is so good for us.
It’s also because Physical Touch is one of my primary Love Languages.
To refresh your memory on The 5 Love Languages go back to my previous blog here and take another look.
Even if Physical Touch is not your primary Love Language, a hug can still feel absolutely wonderful 🙂
A truly heartfelt, twenty-second hug can even have medicinal benefits.
We can all remember how hard it was to not be physically close with our non-bubble loved ones in the lockdown periods.
As a life-long touchy, tactile type, I ached for more bodily contact at that difficult time.
Many people were literally starved of physical affection back then, and it only compounded things and made us feel even worse.
Thankfully that’s all behind us now and hugging is very much back on the menu again 🙂
There’s nothing quite like a comforting hug…
A really good squeeze.
Many of us embrace to express our affection/appreciation for someone, or as part of a hello or goodbye.
But there are lots of other mental and physical health benefits to hugging.
Here are just a few:-
Hugging deepens relationships
Hugging with someone we really care about feels so good; it can almost be like a joint meditation.
Hugs allow us to be present in the moment, to just let go and flow with all those yummy feelings.
But not just that, a great hug can also communicate so much.
It can really endorse and amplify whatever we’re saying.
Or if we don’t have the words, it can often do the talking for us.
In fact, there can be more power in a meaningful hug than in a thousand words.
It’s one of the best ways to express our emotions non-verbally to another person.
A great hug can say:-
I really care about you.
I’m sad for what you’re going through.
I love you.
You mean the world to me.
Everything will be ok.
I’m sorry.
I want to support you.
I’ve missed you.
I’m really happy to see you.
I understand.
And so much more…
Whether you’re hearing the words or not, with the right kind of hug, you’ll feel the sentiment.
And not only does your hug make your person feel safe, loved and valued, it can also encourage them to pass that hug onto others too.
So everyone benefits 🙂
A heartfelt hug can make us feel happy, peaceful and less stressed.
When we hug someone who is stressed, we give them comfort.
According to scientists, brain imaging studies show that hugging reduces the activity in the parts of the brain associated with stress.
Our pituitary gland releases the hormone oxytocin (the cuddle hormone) when we hug for twenty seconds or more.
Oxytocin acts on the brain’s emotional centre, promoting feelings of happiness, trust and connectedness.
We can even release oxytocin when we hug our pet – for us and for them 🙂
Oxytocin lowers the level of cortisol in our bodies.
Cortisol is the stress hormone responsible for high blood pressure and heart disease.
Hugs balance out our nervous systems – moving us from the sympathetic nervous system (the fight or flight response) to the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and digest response).
And the bonus is, when we give a hug, we get a hug 🙂
A gentle hug can soothe and help reduce pain.
Even light touching of the skin can feel incredibly therapeutic.
Oxytocin can reduce inflammation, improve wound-healing and lessen cravings for drugs and/or alcohol.
Giving a gentle hug to someone who is in pain can offer immense relief.
Hugs are offered in many hospices nowadays, which I think is wonderful.
Hugs shift our mind and body into a coherent state.
When we give or receive a hug, our heart’s electromagnetic field switches into a state of coherence with our brains electromagnetic field.
So we feel more calm and balanced.
The benefits of this are a longer life span, lower stress levels and a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes.
It also improves our clarity of thought and mental capacity.
Wow!
Hugs strengthen our immune system.
Because we are being supported, our stress levels are lowered.
Stress is the biggest enemy to our immune systems.
Even if we’re ill, our symptoms will be less severe than people with little or no support system.
Plus when we hug, we exert gentle pressure on the sternum, which activates the solar plexus chakra.
This stimulates the thymus gland that regulates and balances our white blood cells.
These cells play a vital role in keeping our immune systems strong.
Hugs every day keep the doctor away 🙂
Hugs boost our self-esteem.
Hugs raise self-esteem, especially in children.
They say I love you; you are important/matter to me.
This triggers the ability to self-love.
Baby monkeys that are deprived of physical touch fail to thrive and can even die.
Human babies starved of touch don’t thrive either.
Hugs can reduce fear and anxiety and prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Hugs are powerful!
Hugs make us happier.
Hugs stimulate our brains to release dopamine (the happy hormone).
Dopamine makes us feel good, relaxed and confident; it keeps us motivated in life.
It’s the hormone associated with happiness, reduced stress and anxiety.
People who have harmonious family relationships and/or a loving partner have higher levels of dopamine.
Hugs also release serotonin (the feel good hormone).
Low serotonin levels increase the risk of low mood and depression.
So they’re the best possible kind of antidepressant and with no side-effects!
A yummy hug is the best gift we can possibly give (and receive) and they’re completely free.
Here are some hugging statistics:-
13 – The number of times the average person craves a hug in a day.
3 – The average number of seconds a typical hug lasts.
20 – The number of seconds a hug has to last to have medicinal healing qualities.
4 – The number of hugs we need per day for survival.
8 – The number of hugs we need per day for maintenance.
12 – The number of hugs we need per day for growth.
Have these figures surprised you?
I hope they’ve convinced you to be a more consistent hugger.
If you’re not normally a hugger, then please give it a try.
You’re really missing out otherwise.
No matter how busy you are, it pays to take time out of your day to hug the people you really care about.
Hug your partner, your parents, your kids, your friends and anyone else you really appreciate!
Fully acknowledge one another.
Get stuck in; don’t be shy 🙂
According to experts, you should aim to have as many hugs as you can to reap the greatest positive effects.
Even one sincere hug a day can lower stress, pain and loneliness.
So fill your boots I say 🙂
I Love a good strong hug.
I think most women do.
They make me feel safe, appreciated and bonded to my loved ones.
I’ve taught my children to be excellent huggers.
We don’t do limp hugs in our family.
I call my son’s hugs bone-crushers.
He has very strong arms; so his hugs are powerful (and divine).
He always says he’s squeezing his love into me and I can really feel it 🙂
My daughter and I are both exactly the same height, so we move slightly to the left when we hug.
That way our hearts are touching and the love can pass between us 🙂
It’s a very special thing.
My children will teach their children to be excellent huggers too.
It feels good to be so tactile and affectionate.
I think it’s impossible to give or receive too many hugs.
So hug long and often my friends 🙂
Much Love (and Hugs)
Christina xx