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The 12 Benefits Of Getting 12 Hugs Each Day!
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Hugs! Who doesn’t love to get them and receive them! Ever notice that when people are super happy or excited, or when they see the person they love the most, they can’t help but start hugging?
The truth is, every time we sincerely hug someone, we are physically conveying our love and happiness about that person in a much more profound way than words could ever convey. Hugging seems so simple, but it actually has numerous benefits that scientists can measure!
Although hugging comes naturally to infants and small children, it’s adults who get the most benefit from being hugged. Ohio State University conducted research that found that hugging and other types of physical touch become more important to us as we age. Studies have shown that feeling lonely, especially as we age, increases stress levels, which has an adverse effect on our health. By hugging someone, we feel closer to that person. Research has shown that most adults could get tremendous health benefits by getting (and giving) 12 hugs each day.
And don’t ignore the importance of hugs for babies. If you really want to do something for your children, give them plenty of hugs when they are still infants and toddlers. A research study at Emory University found that well hugged infants and toddlers were able to deal with stress much more easily when they were adults.
Ever wonder exactly what happens when you hug someone? We are going to tell you the benefits of hugging. After reading this, you will want to become a hugging fool!
1. Improves the Immune System
One study, involving more than 400 healthy subjects, conducted interviews about their overall social support. This survey was done over the phone every night for 14 weeks. One of the topics they were asked about was the frequency of hugs, both given and received. The subjects who believed they had good social support and received frequent hugs had no symptoms of cold or flu viruses. Those who did not believe they had close social contacts and received few or no hugs in an average day had various signs of colds, the flu, or other types of infection. Hugging increases the hormones and peptides that regulate the function of our immune cells. Avoid the flu this winter and give out more hugs!
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2. Increases Bonding
Hugging actually releases oxytocin in the brain, which can cause us to feel more bonded with the person we are hugging! This hormone increases feelings of intimacy and an intensity of our feelings. Hug your partner and feel the force!
3. Improves Heart Health
In a study done by the University of North Carolina, subjects who had no contact with their partners actually developed a faster heartbeat: specifically, an increase of about 10 extra beats per minute. Those who got regular hugs from their partners had lower heart rates of 5 fewer beats per minute on average. Fewer beats per minute means improved heart health!
4. Relaxes the Body
As you might already know, hugging can cause all the muscles in the body to relax. Releasing tension in the body and washing way the cares of the day can make you feel better in a matter of seconds!
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5. Releases Stress
Hugging is a fantastic way to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the blood stream. This can cause the mind to calm as well as the body. Studies show that there is an amazing link between touch and lower stress levels. Make things easier for everyone; when your partner comes home from work, give them a big, warm, heartfelt hug.
6. Relieves Pain
You might not know it, but hugging releases endorphins in the body. Endorphins relieve pain by blocking the pathways that pain uses. Hugging also increases circulation to the soft tissues, which can ease muscle pain. Next time you have a headache or other type of ache or pain, go get a few hugs.
7. Relieves Depression and Other Disorders
In addition to endorphins, hugging increases the production of dopamine in the brain. This can actually be seen in PET scans of the brain. People who have Parkinson’s and depression typically have low dopamine levels. Prevent depression and help those who suffer from it by giving and receiving lots of hugs every day!
8. Increases Feelings of Understanding and Empathy
Studies have shown that very powerful and sincere hugs allow for the exchange of feelings across the bioenergetics field that is actually created by the heart. This causes us to feel empathy for others and builds feelings of trust in ways words cannot. When you want to open your heart to someone, give them some hugs!
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9. Balances the Nervous System
Our skin contains a large network of egg-shaped pressure sensors called pacnician corpuscles. These are in constant contact with the brain through something called the Vagus nerve. They recognize feelings of touch. During a hug, the skin gives off electricity and moisture levels which balance out the state of the nervous system. So keep on hugging those you love and keep your nervous system in good shape!
10. Elevates the Mood
Hugs can increase the production of serotonin, which makes you feel happy and boosts your self-esteem. When people experience low levels of serotonin, they often feel depressed or lonely. Hugging can cause the brain to release serotonin as well as endorphins that increase levels of happiness and negate feelings of sadness.
11. Reduces Thoughts of Mortality
The journal Psychological Science published a study that found hugs and touching reduce thoughts and worries about mortality. This study found that even hugging an inanimate object such as a teddy bear was enough to soothe a person’s feelings. Hugging those you love releases those feel-good hormones in the brain, serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine, which cause you to feel good and think fewer thoughts about your mortality. So hug long and prosper!
READ ALSO: 20 Ways to Improve Your Health in 60 Seconds or Less
12. Hugs Feel Good!
The simple act of hugging does more than just warm our bodies and our arms; hugs feel good right down to our toes! If they didn’t feel good, people wouldn’t do it so often! Even hugging those who are merely acquaintances tends to make you feel good, both inside and outside. You know the old saying: if it feels good, do it! Hug more and feel good about it!
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