Hugging is a simple act, yet one of the most powerful gestures of love.
No one can deny the power of physical touch; it is a powerful way to connect with others. A comforting pat on the back, a loving embrace, the hand of a dear friend taking in yours when you’re scared. Touch conveys a range of emotions and provides support in times of need.
One type of touch that has compelling benefits is the hug. A hug is an expression of love, affection, and gratitude, and it has been shown to have various health benefits.
How Hugs Help Us Heal
As a natural human interaction, hugging is deeply ingrained into our instincts. We often long to share hugs with a loved one.
We may all understand its emotional power, but hugging has numerous benefits that extend beyond what we feel during one. Hugging can improve both physical and psychological well-being.
Hugging is gratifying and great for overall health. Here are some reasons why everyone should hug more often:
Physical benefits of hugging:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Boosts the immune system
- Promotes feelings of happiness and well-being
Emotional benefits of hugging:
- Provides comfort and support
- Promotes feelings of love and belonging
- Improves communication and connection
- Enhances trust and intimacy
6 Ways Hugging Improves Mental Health And Helps You Heal
Hugs have a wide array of benefits. Due to the increased popularity of mental health awareness, we have seen more articles about how hugging can help improve mental health. Let’s talk about how hugs help heal and improve mental health.
1. Embracing a romantic partner reduces stress in women
A recent study found that women who hugged their romantic partners before being stressed showed a reduced cortisol response. Participants from a control group did not hug anyone before a controlled stress test and showed a greater cortisol response.
This was a small study with only 76 participants, and the male participants did not experience similar stress-reducing effects during the test. It did show that women benefit very much from short-term hugs before stressful social situations like medical examinations or stressful job interviews.
2. It helps you bond and express non-verbal emotions
Regarding communication and connection, hugging can be a way to express feelings nonverbally and connect with others on a deeper level. It can also enhance trust and intimacy in relationships, as it requires vulnerability and willingness to embrace someone physically.
3. Hugs release “feel good” hormones
In line with prior points, hugs release oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. These are neurotransmitters that make you feel happy and relaxed and can even reduce pain and lower levels of depression. Think about the same feeling you get after an intense workout.
4. Hugs lower cortisol levels
Cortisol is a stress hormone. It increases sugars in the bloodstream and activates tissue repair. It peaks in the morning and diminishes throughout the day. However, certain foods and situations such as stress can trigger cortisol levels and cause cortisol spikes.
Hugs reduce cortisol and help you calm down during stressful situations. As we mentioned earlier, it’s been confirmed for women, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to try as a man.
5. Hugs and long hugs may help prevent certain illnesses
A study found that feeling like you have a strong social support system and hugging are associated with reduced chances of catching certain illnesses. In particular, it may help reduce upper respiratory diseases and improve outcomes when you catch one.
During the study, participants provided information about their support system, how often they receive hugs, and how often they experienced daily interpersonal conflict. Participants with a better-perceived support system were less likely to get sick. Those with better support systems who did get sick had less severe symptoms than those with less perceived support.
Another study found that those who experience warm, loving physical contact with their partners may have better heart health than those who do not. The participants who held hands for 10 minutes and shared a 20-second hug with their partners experienced a more significant reduction in heart rate and blood pressure. Participants who sat in silence for 10 minutes and 20 seconds reduced their heart rate and blood pressure to a lesser degree.
6. Hugs can help reduce fears in people with low self-esteem
A study found that reassuring physical touch can help reduce anxiety about mortality in people with lower self-esteem. For the investigation, the experimenter handed questionnaires to a university campus.
When handing out questionnaires, they would sometimes touch participants on their shoulder blades for one second. Participants with lower reported self-esteem who were touched described feeling less fearful about their mortality than those who didn’t receive the touch.
Can Hugs Help You Heal?
Hugs are fundamental to showing love for those around us and have many health benefits. If you are recovering from some addiction, incorporating physical touch with loved ones may significantly contribute to your mental health.
All addiction issues have a significant mental health component, so anything you can do to improve will directly contribute to your recovery.
