Hugging helps the immune system, cures depression, reduces
stress and induces sleep. It's invigorating, rejuvenating and has no unpleasant
side effects. It is all natural, organic, naturally sweet, no pesticides, no
preservatives, no artificial ingredients and 100 percent wholesome. There are
no batteries to wear out, no periodic check-ups, low energy consumption, high
energy yield, inflation proof, nonfattening, no monthly payments, theft-proof,
nontaxable, nonpolluting and, of course, fully returnable. Hugging is
practically perfect, with the only exception that it can't recreate the wheel.
Here are 9 reasons you need hugs everyday.
1. STIMULATES OXYTOCIN
Oxytocin is a neurotransmitter that acts on the limbic
system, the brain's emotional centre, promoting feelings of contentment,
reducing anxiety and stress, and even making mammals monogamous. It is the
hormone responsible for us all being here today. You see this little gem is
released during childbirth, making our mothers forget about all of the
excruciating pain they endured expelling us from their bodies and making them
want to still love and spend time with us. New research from the University of
California suggests that it has a similarly civilising effect on human males,
making them more affectionate and better at forming relationships and social
bonding. And it dramatically increased the libido and sexual performance of
test subjects. When we hug someone, oxytocin is released into our bodies by our
pituitary gland, lowering both our heart rates and our cortisol levels.
Cortisol is the hormone responsible for stress, high blood pressure, and heart
disease.
2. CULTIVATES PATIENCE
Connections are fostered when people take the time to
appreciate and acknowledge one another. A hug is one of the easiest ways to
show appreciation and acknowledgement of another person. The world is a busy,
hustle-bustle place and we're constantly rushing to the next task. By slowing
down and taking a moment to offer sincere hugs throughout the day, we're
benefiting ourselves, others, and cultivating better patience within ourselves.
3. PREVENTS DISEASE
Affection also has a direct response on the reduction of stress
which prevents many diseases. The Touch Research Institute at the University of
Miami School of Medicine says it has carried out more than 100 studies into
touch and found evidence of significant effects, including faster growth in
premature babies, reduced pain, decreased autoimmune disease symptoms, lowered
glucose levels in children with diabetes, and improved immune systems in people
with cancer.
4. STIMULATES THYMUS GLAND
Hugs strengthen the immune system. The gentle pressure on
the sternum and the emotional charge this creates activates the Solar Plexus
Chakra. This stimulates the thymus gland, which regulates and balances the
body's production of white blood cells, which keep you healthy and disease
free.
5. COMMUNICATION WITHOUT SAYING A WORD
Almost 70 percent of communication is nonverbal. The
interpretation of body language can be based on a single gesture and hugging is
an excellent method of expressing yourself nonverbally to another human being
or animal. Not only can they feel the love and care in your embrace, but they
can actually be receptive enough to pay it forward to others based on your
initiative alone.
6. SELF-ESTEEM
Hugging boosts self-esteem, especially in children. The
tactile sense is all-important in infants. A baby recognizes its parents
initially by touch. From the time we're born our family's touch shows us that
we're loved and special. The associations of self-worth and tactile sensations
from our early years are still imbedded in our nervous system as adults. The
cuddles we received from our Mom and Dad while growing up remain imprinted at a
cellular level, and hugs remind us at a somatic level of that. Hugs, therefore,
connect us to our ability to self love.
7. STIMULATES DOPAMINE
Everything everyone does involves protecting and triggering
dopamine flow. Low dopamine levels play a role in the neurodegenerative disease
Parkinson's as well as mood disorders such as depression. Dopamine is
responsible for giving us that feel-good feeling, and it's also responsible for
motivation! Hugs stimulate brains to release dopamine, the pleasure hormone.
Dopamine sensors are the areas that many stimulating drugs such as cocaine and
methamphetamine target. The presence of a certain kinds of dopamine receptors
are also associated with sensation-seeking.
8. STIMULATES SEROTONIN
Reaching out and hugging releases endorphins and serotonin
into the blood vessels and the released endorphins and serotonin cause pleasure
and negate pain and sadness and decrease the chances of getting heart problems,
helps fight excess weight and prolongs life. Even the cuddling of pets has a
soothing effect that reduces the stress levels. Hugging for an extended time
lifts one's serotonin levels, elevating mood and creating happiness.
9. PARASYMPATHETIC BALANCE
Hugs balance out the nervous system. The skin contains a
network of tiny, egg-shaped pressure centres called Pacinian corpuscles that
can sense touch and which are in contact with the brain through the vagus
nerve. The galvanic skin response of someone receiving and giving a hug shows a
change in skin conductance. The effect in moisture and electricity in the skin
suggests a more balanced state in the nervous system - parasympathetic.
I'll leave you with the wonderful real life story of Juan
Mann, a man whose sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger put a smile
on their face. In this age of social-disconnection most all of us lack that
simple human touch from another, the effects of the Free Hugs Campaign are now
felt around the globe.
Sources:
tinyshift.com
dopamineproject.org
dailymail.co.uk
Josh Richardson is blogger, healer, and a constant pursuer of the natural state of human consciousness.
Article Credits : preventdisease
Sources:
tinyshift.com
dopamineproject.org
dailymail.co.uk
Josh Richardson is blogger, healer, and a constant pursuer of the natural state of human consciousness.
Article Credits : preventdisease
