Hugging can have health benefits, including reducing fear, stress and pain, while also promoting immune and cardiovascular health.
If you want to improve your self-confidence, reduce stress, improve communication, and be happier and healthier, giving and asking for more hugs seems like a good start.
Science proves that regular hugging with loved ones, even if it is short, can have particularly positive effects on the brain and body, writes Psychology Today, as reported by Sensa.hr.
Five basic benefits that a hug offers:
A hug reduces stress by showing support
When a friend or family member is going through something painful or unpleasant, give them a hug. Scientists say that providing support through touch can reduce stress in the person you are comforting, as well as in the comforter.
A hug protects against disease
The stress-reducing effect of hugging can also help maintain health. In a study of more than 400 adults, researchers found that hugging can reduce the likelihood of getting sick. Participants with a larger support system are less likely to get sick, and those with more support, who did get sick, had less severe symptoms than those with little or no support.
Hugging can improve heart health
Hugging can be good for heart health. In one study, scientists divided a group of about 200 adults into two groups: one group had romantic partners hold hands for 10 minutes and then hug for 20 seconds. Another group had romantic partners sit in silence for 10 minutes and 20 seconds.
People from the first group had a lower blood pressure and heart rate than those from the second group. According to this knowledge, affective relationships can be good for heart health.
A hug can make us happier
Oxytocin is a chemical in our body that scientists sometimes call the "love hormone". Its level increases when we hug, touch or sit close to someone, and it is associated with happiness and less stress.
Scientists have discovered that this hormone has a strong effect on women. Oxytocin causes a decrease in blood pressure and the stress hormone norepinephrine. One study found that the positive effects of oxytocin were strongest in women who had better relationships and more frequent hugs with their romantic partners. Women also had positive oxytocin effects when they held their infants tightly.
Hugging helps in communication with others
Most human communication takes place verbally or through facial expressions. However, touch is another important way that people can send messages to each other.
Scientists have discovered that it is possible to express a wide range of emotions by touching different parts of another person's body. Some emotions include anger, fear, disgust, love, gratitude, happiness, sadness, and compassion. Hugging is a very comforting and communicative type of touch, writes Sensa.hr.
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