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American family therapist, Virginia Sairová, stated that we need 4 hugs a day to survive, 8 hugs a day to maintain our health, and 12 hugs a day for physical and emotional growth.
Hugging seems to be a universal way to express excitement, love, happiness and even sadness.
It turns out we should be grateful for hugs not only for the feeling of warmth when we hold someone in our arms, but also for a whole range of other benefits related to our physical and psychological health.
So we looked more closely at medical studies to find out how hugging can benefit our bodies. And this is what we found:
1. Hugs contribute to a better immune system
Hugs are known to be a good remedy for suppressing stress. An experiment was conducted on 404 adults who were exposed to the virus that causes the common cold.
The participants were divided into 2 groups: the first group received more support and hugs, while the others remained without them.
The result proved that hugging had a mitigating effect on those who were regularly exposed to it. Moreover, those who still got sick had less severe symptoms of the illness.
2. Hugs improve your nervous system
Hugging stimulates the nervous system by reducing feelings of loneliness, suppressing inner anxieties and helping to increase self-confidence.
In addition, your comfort through touch helps others feel your gratitude and support, which positively affects their overall bodily health.
3. Hugs contribute to better blood pressure
Another study carried out by University of Northern Carolina showed that hugs are good for heart health . About 200 people were divided into 2 groups.
One group watched a romantic video for 10 minutes before stress, holding each other’s hands, and then everyone hugged each other for 20 seconds.
The other group had no physical contact, but rested for 10 minutes before the stress exposure, and then for 20 seconds.
The results showed that the first group had lower blood pressure as well as a more stable pulse, which means that people who regularly receive hugs and support are more resilient to stress and benefit from their cardiovascular health.
4. Hugs make you happier
The hormone responsible for making you feel happy and connected to others is oxytocin.
It is often called the “hug hormone,” because its levels increase precisely when we cuddle and touch each other.
This hormone has a strong effect on women, especially those who receive hugs regularly.
5. Hugs reduce pain
A study conducted by New York University showed that some forms of touch can alleviate pain.
The so-called “therapeutic touch” in the experiment helped people with fibromyalgia feel less pain. Participants also reported that during six sessions of touch therapy the quality of their lives improved.
Since hugging is one form of touching, it can also contribute to pain relief.
6. Hugs relieve feelings of fatigue
In the study titled “The meanings of hugging: from welcome behavior to a deeper sense of touches,” Lena Forsellová and Jan ASTRA identified several major benefits that even a short, 10-second hug brings us.
Among many other things, they showed that hugs help a person suppress feelings of fatigue and also contribute to their sense of psychological well-being.
7. Hugs reduce social anxiety
Thanks to oxytocin, which we already mentioned, hugs help overcome feelings of social anxiety.
Try hugging a familiar person when you arrive at a new party and notice the confidence and relaxation you feel and how sociable you become.
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All of this is because oxytocin prompts us to think positively and view the world more positively.
conclusion
While some people would hug all day seven days a week, others are satisfied with just 5 minutes a day.
Which group do you belong to?
