Hugs feel good, don’t they? Science has shown that the good feeling that comes from receiving and giving hugs is associated with various health benefits.
In Greater Good magazine by the University of California Berkeley, neuroscience professor Francis McGlone and behavioural neuroscience reader Susannah Walker from Liverpool John Moores University say touch is a way of exploring our surroundings and “communicating with others by creating and maintaining social bonds.”
The pair state that through hugging, the nerves “that process the emotional meaning of touch” send signals to our brains and the “proven health benefits” include the release of “the hormone oxytocin – which the Frontiers in Psychology journal explain plays an important role in “social bonding, slowing down heart rate and reducing stress and anxiety levels”.
Lowered stress levels
The Cleveland Clinic refers to psychologist Joe Rock who confirms that hugging decreases cortisol – “a stress hormone”. Moreover, it lists “other research [that] indicates that hugs decrease your blood pressure and heart rate in stressful situations”.
Improved social bonds
As social beings, being connected with others is essential for our well-being. “Hugging communicates that you are safe, loved and … not alone”, says the Cleveland Clinic. In this way, hugging provides a sense of belonging and allows us to deeply connect with others as we “let down some of our defenses”, Rock reports.
Strengthened immune system
McGlone and Walker state that researchers monitoring hugging frequency among adults exposed to a common cold virus found that “huggers were less likely to get a cold”. Hugging helps regulate our hormones, “including oxytocin and [the stress hormone] cortisol”, which benefits our well-being due to decreased stress levels that can compromise our immune systems.
Embracing others
Cleveland Clinic recommends hugging others or pets for the health benefits embracing others offers. McGlone and Walker also reassure those not fond of hugging to enjoy a self-hug since “giving yourself a hug has also been shown to regulate emotional processes and reduce stress.”
Written by LifeAssist
