I felt compelled to write this blog article right now for 3 reasons: 1) it’s almost Valentine’s Day, 2) we're in the midst of the worst cold and flu season in (my) recent memory, and 3) we’ve been experiencing some record-breaking winter weather. When was the last time you remember a layer of snow staying on the ground for over 12 hours or ice staying on your front porch for 3 straight days in Fort Bend County?
Believe it or not, a hug might help you avoid getting sick this winter, or at least minimize your symptoms and help you heal more quickly. A hug will definitely help you warm up.
Hugs are incredibly beneficial, and they’re free! As Virgina Satir, a respected family therapist said, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.”
Some experts attribute the health benefits of hugging to the release of oxytocin, which influences mood, behavior, and physiology. Hugging and the release of oxytocin that comes with it can decrease heart rate and the stress hormones cortisol and norepinephrine. Oxytocin increases levels of hormones that make you feel good- serotonin and dopamine. Dopamine helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers.
The website DrHealthBenefits.com discusses 28 different health benefits of hugs:
Lowers Blood Pressure
Lowers Risks of Heart Disease
Boosts Physical Health
Improves White Blood Cells Production
Prevent Inflammations
Boosts Immune System
Relaxes Muscles
Balances Nervous System
Heals Wounds
Cures Fever
Relieves Pain
Reduces Stress and Depression
Increases Bonding
Provides Trust
Cures Loneliness
Improves Sleep Quality
Builds A Sense of Safety
Boosts Energy
Promotes Good Communication and Relationship
Elevates Mood
Promotes Self-esteem
Alleviates Fears
Reduces Social Anxiety
Improves Sexual Desire
Reveals Emotions
Shows Appreciation
Boosts Memory
Makes You Happier
One important caveat to remember, when scientists talk about all these benefits of hugs, they aren’t talking about a quick greeting hug, they are talking about a solid, sustained hug; you’ve got to hug like you mean it. Scientists say you need to hold the hug for at least 20 seconds for oxytocin release. So, I did the math; 12 hugs a day at 20 seconds a hug only takes 4 minutes a day. Heck, if someone was selling these benefits in a pill, you would buy it; hugs are free and don’t have any harmful side-effects.
I hope this article inspires you to give lots of hugs this Valentine’s week and beyond! Don’t wait for special occasions or events to show your friends and family how much you love them. Last, but not least, don’t forget to hug yourself. Especially we mommies put so much time and energy into caring for others that we often forget self-care and self-love. One of the most awesome features of hugs is that their benefits reward both the giver and the receiver!
I leave you with this thought: “I find that love is a miracle drug.” - Marcus Julian Felicetti
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