Why We All Need More Hugs

“Hugs have power.

They have the power to lower stress levels. They have the power to build a connection between us and other humans.

Stress levels don’t just feel like they decrease during the hug from a loved one, science backs that feeling up.

Did you know that science proves that hugging the people closest to you on a regular basis, even if the hugs are brief, can affect your brain and body in positive ways?

Tiffany Field, one of the world’s leading touch researchers and the director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami in Florida, says, “They found that, in fact, people who were given this stressful task, if they’d been holding hands or being hugged, they would have a lower blood pressure and lower heart rate, suggesting that they were less stressed.”

Cool facts to be aware of

1. Hugs come with great health benefits, one of which is lowering your blood pressure

2. Hugging reduces your stress levels, making you less at risk for heart disease

3. Regular hugs can also reduce inflammation in your body, lowering your risk of stroke

4. Hugging can boost your immune system, lowering your chance of catching colds and other common illnesses

5. A hug helps your body produce more dopamine, resulting in less symptoms of depression

6. The production of oxytocin when you collect a hug can boost memory function”

✨Takeaway: We all need hugs for our emotional and mental well-being. Hugging has genuine physical advantages as well. Science has shown that embracing the people who are closest to you frequently, even if the hugs are brief, can have a favorable impact on your brain and body.

✨Reflection: How often do you hug those closest to you?

#Hugs #Positive #Health #Wellness #Wellbeing