Read time: 2 minutes
“Are
you a hugger?” My mom is, she’s known for her hugs. She hugs anyone and
everyone. I often warn my friends about her, “Fair warning. Watch out; my mom
will hug you.” Several months ago, my mom said to me, “You know what is so hard
about this pandemic? You can’t hug people. You know how much power is a hug?”
Have you ever asked yourself what the science behind hugging is? Let’s talk about the brain. Oxytocin is a chemical that scientists often call the “cuddle hormone.” When oxytocin levels rise when people, touch, sit close to someone, or hug. Oxytocin is often associated with levels of happiness and decreases stress.
According to Dr. Sebastian Ocklenburg, “Hugs are a behavior at the intersection of motor and emotional networks in the brain, and as such, they might be influenced by both of these neuronal networks.”
So, with so much of our body involved in hugs, what might be the health benefits of hugging?
Dr. Audrey wrote about the psychological benefits of hugging. She noted that hugging makes you feel more love and less lonely. It can also boost your immune system. Hugs can also help us through relational stress and struggles. It enables you to feel supported and included by others.
Shanti Das compliments the ideas of Dr. Audrey with a list of reasons why hugging each day is very important.
1. Makes the heart-healthy
2. Reduces stress
3. Can regenerate muscles
4. Make each of us a more mindful
5. Minimizes fears
6. It helps babies become well-adjusted as they grow up
7. Provides overall health for the body
I wanted to end with a quote by Mokokoma Mokhonoana, “I embrace people (with my arms) mainly to remind myself that I ought to embrace them (with my mind).”
What do you have to lose? Give hugging a try. You can embrace a friend, a special someone, your pet or a stuffed animal. Feel how your body changes. See how your mind feels. Just hug.
Happy Father’s Day, dad and Happy Mother’s Day, mom. Love, Scoots.
With compassion and kindness,