9 Reasons Why Hugs Make Your Life So Much Better

Oct 17, 2018 by apost team

Hugs are universal. All over the world, people express feelings of love, friendship, sympathy, and kindness by hugging one another. Hugs are even replacing formal handshakes in the business world. Hugging someone is simple and free, and it will have a positive effect on your health and wellbeing.

There's nothing better than a hug on a cold winter night. Do you have fond memories from your childhood of your mom hugging you when you came in from playing in the snow? She wasn't just happy to see you. Your mom was transferring her body heat to you through hugs.

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A hug will make you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside too. Next time you're feeling down, share a hug with a loved one.

The world we live in can be overwhelming. It might seem like every time you turn on the television there is more negative news. Why spread negativity when you can have a positive effect on someone with a hug?

Sometimes life gets busy, and you forget to let your partner know how much they mean to you. A hug lets them know that you love them and that you're there for them. It only takes a second to show someone that you care.

When you feel like you are at your breaking point; hug someone. A hug forces your body to release oxytocin. Oxytocin lowers cortisol, the hormone that causes high blood pressure, heart disease and stress.

Trust is key in any relationship. When you allow someone to hug you, it shows that you trust them. Hugging is also associated with feelings of safety, security, and intimacy.

Do you often find yourself feeling anxious? Dopamine is a chemical in our brains that has an important effect on our emotions. Low dopamine can result in anxiety. Hugging is scientifically proven to elevate your mood because it results in a release of dopamine.

Everyone struggles with confidence at one point or another. When someone hugs you, it makes you feel valued. Everybody wants to be part of something, and a simple hug shows that you are an important part of another human being's life.

The thymus, the gland that controls the body's immune response, is located directly behind your sternum. When you hug someone, the pressure stimulates the thymus, causing it to produce antibodies and white blood cells. In short, a hug increases your body's ability to fight off viruses and bacteria. A hug a day could keep the doctor away!

A hug doesn't only elevate your mood, hugging increases your overall happiness in the long term. Your body releases serotonin during a hug. Serotonin, also known as the happy chemical, diminishes feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Serotonin plays a role in your appetite, emotions, motor skills and cognitive thinking. So, it makes sense that an increase in serotonin would have enormous benefits to your health.

A study published in the Psychological Science journal suggests that hugging can ease existential anxiety. Existential anxiety is anxiety about your future, the choices you make, mortality, and the meaning of life. Now you can worry less and live a happy life, thanks to the power of a hug.

Do you know someone who needs more hugs in their life? Tag them in the comments below to brighten their day! And give them a hug next time you see them!