Are you a hand-shaker or a hugger? If you prefer the former, you might want to reconsider the wonders of the power of a hug. It might only take 10 seconds, but the benefits last forever. Why does a hug matter? Mostly because hugging is proven scientifically to make us healthier and happier!
You’re not all that far off if you’ve ever felt as though you were starving for touch. Hugs and other forms of human communication satisfy the same parts of our brains that are satiated by food. A consensual hug can be a statement of warmth and concern, as powerful as a comforting greeting and caring touch.
Hugs foster interpersonal relationships and provide us with protection, comfort, empathy, and serenity—emotions that many people desperately need during uncertain times. However, scientists have discovered that hugging has advantages beyond just making someone feel comfortable in your arms. Find out how in this article below!
The Science Behind Hugs
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Do you know that humans have two distinct touch systems? One is a rapid touch system comprising large, myelinated A-beta afferents. It is also known as discriminative touch, where our nerves can rapidly detect and discriminate contact with our skin. A good example is if you receive a hug. Your discriminative touch pathway tells you where the person is touching you, but you also feel how hard they are squeezing. That sensation of how soft or hard they are squeezing is called touch pressure.
The second is a slow-touch system, which includes the recently discovered C-tactile afferents. These unmyelinated nerve fibers are associated with affective touch, processing the emotional aspects of a hug or caress.
With all the emotions and meaning it holds, it’s no wonder that physical touch—especially in the form of hugging—plays such an essential role in both our relationships and mental health. Let’s delve deeper into the science of what a hug can do to our body and soul!
1. Releasing Feel-Good Hormones
Hugs can be a surprisingly effective way to improve our health, making them more than just a pleasant greeting. According to Medicine Net research, hugging produces feel-good hormones, including dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, a love hormone that improves heart health and reduces stress.
The finding further explains that a 10-second embrace can help the body cope with depression. While a 20-second hug lowers blood pressure, lessens the stress of conflict and increases our heart health. Our bodies release these hormones, which boost our mood generally, causing us to feel happier, relax, and lessen the symptoms of depression.
2. Strengthening Relationships
According to integrative neurologist Ilene Ruhoy, M.D., PhD, hugging promotes closeness between people, helping to strengthen a relationship.
“The physiologic changes that accompany the human touch are thought to be related to an exchange of energy in the form of electrons,” Ilene said. “The act of hugging also releases oxytocin stored in the pituitary gland, often affectionately referred to as the ‘love hormone’ because it helps us bond with our newborns.”
That answers why we have the instinct to hug our children, parents, and friends. Thanks to the feeling of love, familiarity, and fellowship this hormone evokes!
3. Improving Psychological Well-Being
On a rainy day, a hug is like your first aid for the weary soul. According to a 2015 study, people experiencing distress who received a hug from a loved one felt more supported than those without one. Hugs might be a simple act of affection, but they carry the power to boost not only our mood but our psychological well-being, too!
4. Lowering Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
Incorporating hugging as our daily culture brings positive impacts on our internal organs. It is proven to help reduce our pulse rate and blood pressure. A recent study from the University of North Carolina discovered that individuals who received a hug had their blood pressure and pulse rate reduced. The researchers suspected that oxytocin –a hormone that plays a role in social bonding – as the component that improved their health.
5. Making Us Feel Calm
Hugging has been shown to boost our health, happiness, and relaxation. Hugging, in addition to lowering anxiety, induces relaxation due to increased levels of oxytocin and serotonin, all of which create a sense of safety and trust. If you’ve had a bad day, offer someone a much-needed hug immediately!
6. Reducing Loneliness
A poll indicated that throughout the outbreak of Covid-19, 25 million individuals in the United Kingdom felt lonely or alone. We thrive on physical touch as humans, and hugging is one of the most powerful ways to convey support and compassion. A simple hug may assist in shifting poor moods by raising these feel-good hormones (dopamine), lessening emotions of loneliness, and alleviating the physical effects of stress.
7. Increasing Your Self-Esteem
Do you need a pick-me-up? Hugging provides a sensation of safety, affection, and security, which enhances your self-esteem. According to Delamere Health Manchester professionals, “studies have shown that hugging can help to reduce negative feelings and promote a more positive state of mind.” Furthermore, it was reported that “participants who received more physical touch from their partners experienced better mood and psychological well-being over time.”
Now that you have learned the science behind a simple act named “hugging”, let’s continue digging into what kind of positive impacts it brings to us!
The Benefits of a Hug
Joice Kelly via Unsplash
Receiving and giving hugs are proven to influence the health level of our mental and physical state. But, what happens to us when we hug? Here’s some!
- It builds trust and a sense of safety! Hug works perfectly with open and honest communication.
- A bad mood can come another day because hugs can instantly boost oxytocin levels. It helps in healing some negative feelings such as loneliness, isolation, and anger.
- One hug a day makes a doctor go away. Thanks to the hug that strengthens the immune system. It regulates and balances the body’s production of white blood cells, the one responsible for keeping an individual healthy and disease-free.
- Physical contact during a hug not only makes us safe and loved but also boosts self-esteem. All the hugs we receive from our parents, lovers, and friends make us more self-confident and happier. They connect us to our ability to self-love.
- Hugging relaxes the muscles by releasing tension in the body. It also takes away pain and aches by increasing circulation into the soft tissues.
- A hug lowers blood pressure. When you hug, touch, or sit close to someone you love, your body releases oxytocin, which scientists call the “cuddle hormone.” This hormone can help relax and lower anxiety, which in turn can effectively lower blood pressure.
- According to a study, touch and hugs reduce the worry of mortality. The study revealed that hugging alleviates the existential fear of a person.
- Hugging is similar to meditation! A hug makes us more mindful and aware of the current situation. Being present in the moment brings us happiness.
Calm in Cocoon
While being hugged by someone can be very comforting and beneficial, sometimes it’s hard to get it when you’re away from your dearest ones. Bob cares about you, that’s why Bob presents an adult swaddle that will always be ready to snuggle you up!
Under a special project called “Calm in Cocoon”, Bobocabin in collaboration with KWALA is proudly releasing Cocoon Blanket: a one-of-a-kind blanket that will give you the same feeling as being hugged. Now even if you’re going far away, you can bring this blanket everywhere to make sure you get the warmth and loving feeling that you need!
Cocoon Blanket is now available to purchase at our selected Bobocabin branches: Gunung Mas, Coban Rondo, Kintamani, Cikole, and Pangalengan for a limited quantity. You can also order the product online via KWALA marketplace.
Ready to have the perfect snuggly rest wherever you go? Get your own Cocoon Blanket and have the best sleep experience ever with Bobocabin and KWALA!
Writer: Ratna Asih
Header image by: Marco Bianchetti via Unsplash
