3 science-backed reasons to hug more often
Miscellaneous / / May 18, 2023
It's all about the attachment hormone oxytocin.
1. It reduces stress levels
Hugs work like a sedative because reduce stress hormone levels cortisol. Scientists have found that it becomes less in the saliva and in the blood of the study participants.
As a special case, hugs help be less nervous due to conflicts. And they also work as a preventive measure. If a person hugged in the morning, and then quarreled with someone during the day, he will worry about it less. To come to these conclusions, scientists conducted a study on 404 people. At the same time, hugs acted about the same for men and women. This effect is associated with the effect of the hormone oxytocin. It allows you to feel more secure, and therefore the stress reaction is felt less acutely.
2. It helps you feel better
From mental health to physical health. They say that if you treat a cold, it will pass in 14 days, and if not treated, then in two weeks. Because there are no pills for it. But hugs can help here too. According to studies, those who were hugged more often had symptoms of SARS less serious.
Moreover, one could conclude that hugs spur immune system. But it is not so. The mechanism here is about the same as with stress (and the study was conducted by the same scientists). Sometimes the immune system reacts excessively, inadequately to the threat. And this can harm the body more than the disease itself. The sense of security that hugs provide (due to the release of oxytocin and lower cortisol levels) helps the immune system respond more appropriately.
Other scientists have studied how hugging affects inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the immune system's response to disease, so their absence is indicative of a healthier body. And those who hugged more showed a better result compared to their less tactile comrades.
There is also evidence that hugs helprelieve pressure. They will not be prescribed instead of medicine, but if you hug regularly, you can make some contribution to the health of your heart.
3. It helps form stronger bonds.
The point, of course, is all in the same oxytocin, which is sometimes called the attachment hormone. Embrace stimulate its production. And this, in turn, helps to form more trusting, calm relationships. At least, people in them begin to feel that way, because trust cannot be built on one tactile contact.
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