Hugs are More Important than You May Think…
It is a well-known fact that humans are considered a social species, but what does that really mean? It means that we need contact and connection with other humans as a part of our day-to-day life. For example, starting when we are babies, we must be handled and interacted with in order to develop the ability to connect with others emotionally, but physical connection with others should not stop at infancy. Humans crave physical contact with other people at every stage of our lives (yes, even if you are an introvert). When we do not get the proper amount of contact with others, we develop what is known as touch starvation.
People in the United States and other western cultures whose social norms are more averse to touch have the highest percentage of touch starvation.The United States ranks in the top ten countries with the highest stress levels, and is placed at number three in the world for highest rates of anxiety and depression in adults. Mental illness and stress are just some of the symptoms that people display when they are touch starved.
Now, what is it about hugs that help relieve the symptoms of touch deprivation?
Hugs cause the brain to release the chemical oxytocin in the brain which lowers blood pressure and heart rate. This helps counteract the effects of stress, which often includes high blood pressure. Hugs also release dopamine which stimulates the pleasure centers of our brains. Because the United States has lost tactile contact as a part of social norms, we are deprived of a natural destressant.
It is said that the average human should receive a minimum of four hugs per day, but should strive for between eight and twelve hugs per day. So, the next time you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed, seek out a friend or family member to get a hug from. This small, quick, easy action will lower your stress levels and bring you a little extra joy.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/touch-starved#type-of-touch
https://www.nordiccuddle.com/post/7-signs-you-might-be-suffering-from-touch-deprivation
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2016-09-14/the-10-most-depressed-countries
https://www.healthline.com/health/hugging-benefits#6