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Have You Had a Hug Today?

Story at-a-glance

Story at-a-glance

  • From birth to death, touch is an important part of your emotional and physical health as it triggers the release of hormones such as dopamine and oxytocin, and reduces the amount of cortisol in your body
  • Health benefits that result from hugs include a reduction in feelings of sadness, lower blood pressure, slowed heart rate, reduced anxiety and increased compassion
  • You may be able to increase the number of hugs and touch you get each day by staying tuned in to others who want hugs, giving hugs and engaging in therapeutic touch activities
  • From birth to death, touch is an important part of your emotional and physical health as it triggers the release of hormones such as dopamine and oxytocin, and reduces the amount of cortisol in your body
  • Health benefits that result from hugs include a reduction in feelings of sadness, lower blood pressure, slowed heart rate, reduced anxiety and increased compassion
  • You may be able to increase the number of hugs and touch you get each day by staying tuned in to others who want hugs, giving hugs and engaging in therapeutic touch activities
  •  

    By Dr. Mercola

    By Dr. Mercola

    “We need [four] hugs a day for survival. We need [eight] hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”

    “We need [four] hugs a day for survival. We need [eight] hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”

    This may represent the minimum and optimum thresholds to generate sufficient oxytocin, a hormone released by your pituitary gland in response to physical touch. The simple act of hugging may not only increase your bond with others, but may also boost your physical and emotional health.

    The Importance of Touch

    The Importance of Touch

    This is in deep contrast to friends in France who touched up to 110 times in an hour, or in Puerto Rico where they touched up to 180 times in an hour.

    Health Benefits of Oxytocin

    Health Benefits of Oxytocin

    In other words, in cases where the hormone was released during situations that were not pleasant, such as during poor relationships, it can make you less accepting of people. The hormone was first recognized for the role it played in bonding mother and child during pregnancy and nursing.

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    Relationship Between Hugs and Cortisol

    Relationship Between Hugs and Cortisol

    Hugs Each Day May Help Keep Depression at Bay

    Hugs Each Day May Help Keep Depression at Bay

    “We also know that hugging our loved ones promotes healthy emotional attachment and intimacy, which is the foundation of a happy, healthy long-term relationship.”

    “We also know that hugging our loved ones promotes healthy emotional attachment and intimacy, which is the foundation of a happy, healthy long-term relationship.”

    “Being touched and touching someone else are fundamental modes of human interaction, and increasingly, many people are seeking out their own professional touchers and body arts teachers — chiropractors, physical therapists, Gestalt therapists, Rolfers, the Alexander-technique and Feldenkrais people, massage therapists, martial arts and T’ai Chi Ch’uan instructors.

    “Being touched and touching someone else are fundamental modes of human interaction, and increasingly, many people are seeking out their own professional touchers and body arts teachers — chiropractors, physical therapists, Gestalt therapists, Rolfers, the Alexander-technique and Feldenkrais people, massage therapists, martial arts and T’ai Chi Ch’uan instructors.

    And some even wait in physicians’ offices for a physical examination for ailments with no organic cause — they wait to be touched.”

    And some even wait in physicians’ offices for a physical examination for ailments with no organic cause — they wait to be touched.”

    Hug Evolution: Mindful Hugging

    Hug Evolution: Mindful Hugging

    “When we hug, our hearts connect and we know that we are not separate beings. Hugging with mindfulness and concentration can bring reconciliation, healing, understanding and much happiness.”

    “When we hug, our hearts connect and we know that we are not separate beings. Hugging with mindfulness and concentration can bring reconciliation, healing, understanding and much happiness.”

    Hugging meditation can be practiced with your mother, father, sibling, spouse or even a tree, according to Hanh. The practice begins with the recognition of each other’s presence and then an embrace that encompasses three deep breaths. The first breath is designed to help you acknowledge your presence in the present moment.

    With the second breath you become aware of the presence of the other and with your third breath you celebrate with gratitude your presence with the other person. Hanh believes that hugging in such a way brings reality into the present moment, and possibly reconciliation. At the same time, this practice releases the other health benefits mentioned above.

    Fun Facts About Hugging

    Fun Facts About Hugging

    Founder Rev. Kevin Zaborney from Michigan encourages people to hug in public and post to social media on January 21 with #NationalHuggingDay. The person who is giving the hug gets as much benefit as the person being hugged, although you may experience greater benefit from hugging someone you trust.

    5 Ways to Get Your Hug On

    5 Ways to Get Your Hug On

    In this short video Cordero Roman does an inexact social experiment on hugging. Watching the video you may be able to “feel” the difference between the hugs just from the individuals experience on film.
    It may be difficult to get hugs each day living in a country where physical touch is not encouraged, or if you live alone. If you put your mind to the task, there may be ways to get healthy touch. These suggestions may feel like they are out of your comfort zone, but you won’t enjoy the results unless you take the first step.

    • Teddy bear
  • Teddy bear
  • Teddy bear

    While not as satisfying as hugging another person, hugging an inanimate object may help reduce fear and anxiety.

    • Greetings
  • Greetings
  • Greetings

    While it may feel strange at first, make it a habit to greet your friends with a hug. Ask before you hug. This may be more difficult between two men. However, unless you step out of your comfort zone and ask, you won’t find the friends who are looking for the same nonsexual touch contact.

    • Therapeutic touch
  • Therapeutic touch
  • Therapeutic touch

    Chiropractors, massage therapists and reiki masters all must touch you in order to practice their craft and most understand the health benefits associated with touch. You’ll likely not get a massage daily, but it may be something you can work into your monthly schedule.

    • Give one
  • Give one
  • Give one

    You may not get one unless you give one. If you usually do not hug your children, siblings, parents or friends, then it may be up to you to take the first step and initiate a hug.

    • Be mindful
  • Be mindful
  • Be mindful

    Some people don’t want to hug fearing cold viruses. Others don’t want to hug or may be afraid of how another person may interpret the hug. Be mindful of how the other person feels and seek out others who may also want a hug that day. Remind yourself as you meet people, others do need hugs each day. As you look for opportunities, more will appear.

    Sources and References

    Sources and References

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