Hug is something we do when we are excited, happy, sad, or in an attempt to comfort someone. Hugging is comforting and makes us feel good; however, it turns out that scientists have discovered multiple benefits of hugging. Let’s explore some of those.

When people in our lives are experiencing stress, painful or stressful situations, we often give them a hug to show support. Scientists say that giving support through touch can reduce stress of both the person being comforted and the comforter. In a study of twenty couples the men were given electric shocks. During the shocks, each woman held her partner’s arm. Researchers found that the part of the women’s brain associated with stress showed reduced activity, while the parts associated with maternal instincts showed more activity. When we hug someone to comfort them, these parts of our brains may show a similar response.

Hugs may protect you against illnesses. A study of over 400 adults found that hugging may reduce the chance of a person getting sick. Participants with a greater support system were less likely to get sick. As well those who did get sick had less severe symptoms than those with little or no support system.

Hugs may boost your heart health. A study conducted by scientists with 200 people split into two groups had one group hold hands with their partner for 10 minutes followed by a 20 second hug each. The other group had romantic partners who sat in silence for 10 minutes and 20 seconds.

People in group one showed greater reductions in blood pressure levels and heart rate than the second group. An affectionate relationship may be good for your heart health.

Hugs can make you happier! A chemical in our bodies, oxytocin, often called the “cuddle hormone”, increases in level when we hug, touch, or sit close to someone else. This hormone has a stronger effect on women. Oxytocin causes a reduction in blood pressure and of the stress hormone norepinephrine. Women with better relationships and more frequent hugs from their partners, experienced stronger positive benefits.

Touch can reduce anxiety in people with low self-esteem. Scientists discovered that even touching an inanimate object, such as a Teddy bear helped reduce people’s fears.

Some forms of touch may reduce pain. People with fibromyalgia, a painful disorder, has six therapeutic touch treatments. Each treatment involved light touching of the skin. The participants reported an increase in quality of life and a reduction in pain. Hugging may help reduce pain.

Hugs may help you communicate with others. Most of our communication occurs verbally or through facial expressions. But people may also send messages through touch. A study showed a stranger was able to communicate multiple emotions to another person by touching different parts of their body. Some of the emotions expressed were anger, fear, disgust, love, gratitude, happiness, sadness, and sympathy. Hugging is a very comforting and communicative type of touch.

How many hugs would you say we need a day? A family therapist, Virginia Satir once said, ‘We need four hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth”. Whew! That’s a lot of hugs, but it seems that many hugs are better than not enough.

Unfortunately, many people, especially in the U.S. are touch deprived. Some of us, like myself, are single and not always in a relationship. Or on the other hand others may be busy achieving their life goals while others may not want to touch anyone not directly related to them.

If you want to feel better about yourself, reduce stress, improve communication, and be healthier and happier, you may want to ask for more hugs from friends and family.

Finally, you may want to do what I started doing when Covid-19 was rampant, I gave myself hugs. Yes, self-hugging has benefits as well. It can reduce pain, help you feel safe and secure, improve your mood, and increase self-compassion.

So, reap the benefits of hugging, ask for hugs and practice hugging yourself every day if you are without a partner.

Until next time,

Peace, Love, and Blessings💖