in #CASE you were curious about: Hugs
January 21st is National Hugging Day!
Who can’t get enough loving and warm hugs? Humans do love hugging. As much as we love doing it with fellow humans, we’ve grown and lived doing it to our dogs, too. But canines interpret putting a limb over another animal as a sign of dominance…so skip that, but here are ten reasons why humans should have at least eight hugs a day:
Hugs build trust and a sense of safety, which helps with open and honest communication.
Hugs instantly boost oxytocin levels (that’s our bonding hormone), which help heal feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger.
Holding hugs for an extended time lifts serotonin levels, which elevate mood and create happiness.
The gentle pressure from on the sternum and emotional charge that hugs create activates our Solar Plexus Chakra, which is located in the upper abdomen and effects self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem). This pressure stimulates the thymus gland, which is responsible for balancing the body’s production of white blood cells.
Hugs boost our self-esteem, and connect us to our ability to self love.
Hugs release tension in the body, and take away pain and soothe aches by increasing circulation into the soft tissues.
Hugs balance out the nervous system: the effects of giving and receiving hugs appear in measurements of skin conductance. The electrical effect of hugs indicates their ability to help produce a more balanced nervous system state.
Hugs teach to give and receive; there is equal value in receiving and being receptive to warmth. Hugs teach us how love can flow within two beings.
Hugs are like meditation and laughter; they teach us to let go and be present in the moment. Hugs encourage our bodies to flow with the energy of life, and our minds to get out of harmful thinking patterns and connect with our hearts, feelings, and breath.
The energy exchanged between people when hugging encourages empathy and understanding.
Some bonus benefits of getting your hug on:
Reduce heart rates
Lower blood pressure
Increase nerve activity
Reduce levels of cortisol (stress hormone) if they are over 20-seconds long
Boosts the immune system
Alleviates tension and releases endorphins
It’s portable and it doesn’t cost a thing!