Hugging- Health Benefits
A hug can convey a lot about how we feel
about another person. It is not only a great way to bond with one
another, it makes us feel good too. Surprisingly though, hugging has
several other physical health benefits as well. In fact, scientists have
discovered that when we hug a loved one, the hormone oxytocin releases
into the blood stream. This hormone lowers blood pressure, reduces
stress and anxiety and has also been found to improve your memory. It
has also been connected to feelings of love
But, with all these benefits (and more),
should we be selective about who we hug? According to research conducted
at the University of Vienna, giving a polite embrace to someone we may
not know well can have the opposite effect. In fact, when we receive
unwanted hugs - be it from strangers, or people we know, the hormone
oxytocin is not released - rather, anxiety levels rise and the stress
hormone, cortisol is released.
So prior to hugging someone, just ensure
that it will be reciprocated. Other than that, here are 10 reasons why
we should hug our loved ones more often:
1. Hugs combat the common cold and flu
A hug a day can keep stress-related infections and the common cold at
bay. This notion has been confirmed by studies conducted by Carneige
Mellon University. It was found that hugging was effective in protecting
people from stress-induced vulnerability to infection, such as a viral
infection.
2. Hugging boosts your immune system
Aside from uplifting your spirits and making you feel good, the oxytocin
hormone released while hugging also increases the presence of other
hormones that fight infection. The combined effect of feeling good and
healthy, in turn, helps boost your immune system.
3. Hugs help alleviate pain
While hugs have the ability to boost your immune system, the oxytocin
hormone that is released also decreases pain levels. Usually, when we
feel pain, our natural response is to rub and massage the affected area.
In fact, it has been found that such a simple touch releases enough
oxytocin to make us feel better.
4. Hugs lower blood pressure levels
Once again, the hormone oxytocin plays an important role here, as it
reduces cortisol in the body, thereby lowering blood pressure levels.
Furthermore, when you hug another person, a type of pressure receptor on
the skin, known as a Pacinian Corpuscle, is activated and sends signals
to the brain that lowers blood pressure.
5. Hugging relaxes tension in the muscles
Hugs release tension in the body by combating pain and improving blood
circulation. they also promote blood flow in soft tissues, thereby
relaxing tense muscles.
6. Hugging promotes brain health and memory
The oxytocin hormone is truly beneficial for our bodies. When this
hormone is released through hugging, it boosts our memory power. It also
stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to strike a
balance between activeness and calmness.
7. Hugging burns calories
Though it may be hard to believe, hugging burns around 12 calories - it
may not be much, but it's a fact worth noting.
8. Hugging lowers your risk of heart disease
As you may have suspected - all thanks to the oxytocin hormone! As this
hormone plays such a vital role in keeping your stress levels, anxiety
and blood pressure low, it also contributes to a lower risk of heart
disease.
9. Hugging reduces worries of mortality
According to a study published in the journal of Psychological Science,
hugging has the ability to keep fears of mortality at bay. The study
also looked into hugging an inanimate object like a teddy bear - which
they found, was enough to soothe an individual's existential fears.
It was also discovered that simply imagining hugging a person you love
can release serotonin, dopamine and endorphine levels in the brain,
triggering feelings of happiness and joy. Consequently, this will negate
any worries related to mortality, as these hormones contribute to lower
levels of stress.
10. Hugging elevates your mood
When your serotonin levels are low, you are more likely to experience
feelings related to depression and loneliness. But hugging can increase
the production of serotonin in the brain, helping to boost your mood as
well as your self-esteem. So, if you are feeling blue - give someone you
love a big hug!