OBS POST #40: Hugs Are Good for You!

Hugs don't just feel good they are therapeutic too!

Sep 20, 2024

woman hugging boy on her lap — Photo by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash

I am not sure when I became a hugger. I don’t come from a particularly hugging family. Furthermore, I seem to be self-taught. Although it seems ludicrous if not ridiculous to teach oneself to hug. In my case, it is true. Hugging became part of my life repertoire and still to this day it is. I love to hug and be hugged. It implies a closeness of spirit and a desire for closeness and affinity. In fact, I think hugs are the ultimate in affinity, you cannot get much closer.

By now, you are asking yourself, “Where are you going with this, Larry?” The answer is very simple and rather poignant for the day, I strongly believe. The country and much of the world is more stratified than I have ever seen in my “young” life. Hatred has become a rallying point. Ya gotta wonder where the love is. We need a hugging revolution.

Here’s what I have found out:

A mere 10-second hug can help the body fight infections, ease depression, and reduce fatigue. Extend that to a 20-second hug, and the benefits extend to reducing the harmful effects of stress, relieving blood pressure, and promoting a healthy heart.

Think about that! I’ve taken a deep dive into hugging and I found out some very interesting things. Hugging can be the best medicine for a variety of ailments because of the hormones hugs induce.

Number 1 is dopamine, which give you feelings of pleasure, satisfaction and motivation. Dopamine also has a role to play in controlling memory, mood, sleep, learning, concentration, movement and other body functions. Then there is

Number 2, Serotonin, which is one of the natural body chemicals that control moods, sleeping and how you feel pain. And I bet you cannot wait to hear about the love hormone.

Number 3 is Oxytocin, not to be confused with the drug. It helps relieve stress and has other help benefits like lowering blood pressure, increasing libido, etc.

Let’s face it, the longer the hug, the better the positive impact! The bottom-line is to never settle for hugs less than twenty seconds. I would bet that hugging yourself counts!

The Healing Power of Hugs: a deep dive into the surprising benefits

“The duration of a hug significantly influences its impact on our health. A mere 10-second hug can help the body fight infections, ease depression, and reduce fatigue. Extend that to a 20-second hug, and the benefits extend to reducing the harmful effects of stress, relieving blood pressure, and promoting a healthy heart. Increasing the frequency of hugs leads to a cascade of positive outcomes, including reduced blood pressure, decreased cortisol levels, improved healing, diminished cravings, and enhanced immunity.” Thank you, BCP