Hugs are so important for us because they contribute to your health and happiness! It’s easy to forget the importance of hugs and how much of a positive impact they can have, especially in the long-term. Ultimately, humans thrive on physical connection and it is one of the best ways to show physical support. Whether it’s to friends, family or your SO, hugs are essential to daily life
Hugs can replace words
When words fail, hugs can be used to replace your words. The way we physically interact with other people is a form of communication that differs to speaking. Touching is one of the first senses that develops and reaches maturity before the other senses do. This therefore means that touching, and therefore hugging, is important in feeling and sensing emotions, especially when words fail.
Hugs can help to protect you from stress-related illnesses
A study by Carnegie Mellon found that receiving hugs influences your immune system. This study found that those people who had more hugs than others less likely became sick. Even if these people did get sick it was less intense than those who didn’t hugs.
Physical performance is improved by hugs
A 2015 study found that athletes often performed better when they experienced hugs. Those teams that had the highest ranking and the best performance had the most hugs and physical comfort.
Hugs reduce your nervousness in public speaking
A study in ‘Behavioral Medicine’ found that people who participated in public speaking typically had a lower heart rate when they experienced a 20 second hug from their partners. Those that didn’t experience a 20 second hug had a higher heart rate.
Stress hormones, including cortisol levels, are reduced when you receive a hug
Hugs can reduce your levels of stress hormones, including cortisol, in the body. If you have high levels of stress hormones this can cause multiple issues including: sleep issues, skin problems, obesity and low immunity, to name a few.
Oxytocin levels are naturally boosted when you receive a hug
The hormone oxytocin is also known as the ‘cuddle hormone.’ This nickname is because of its association with significant aspects of relationships, including: trust, devotion and bonding. Hugging is one of the many activities that naturally releases oxytocin in your brain. Consequently, this helps you strength your personal relationships with those close to you. Additionally, if you have an increased amount of oxytocin levels this is often associated with having better heart health.
Hugs can be a form of pain relief
Fahad Basheer’s The Science of Emotions notes that hugs can reduce pain in different ways. The first is that hugs can unleash endorphins which can then block the pain pathways. Another way is that it improves circulation which can remove pain peptides.
Hugging can hep you feel less isolated
As a result of social media and the pandemic, isolation has become more common than ever. This can make you feel disconnected and sad, which can influence your attitude. This type of isolation isn’t good for you and consequently it can trigger and increase feelings of depression. The release of oxytocin as a result of a decent hug can fight feelings of isolation by making you feel connected to other and being able to trust others.
Conflict is better handled with hugs
Receiving a hug after an argument, fight or conflict can help alleviate bad and unhappy feelings. Next time when you have conflict or an argument, don’t leave each other without a hug.