Hello BASK friends! I hope you all have had a great week and whether it has been trying or not, I hope that you can take some time to recharge and fill your cup. One way we can fill our cup is through touch and in particular, hugs. It is well known that babies in hospitals and orphanages thrive when they are held and given physical comfort. Attachment studies also point to this very concept. When rhesus monkeys (1) were given a terrycloth surrogate mother figure or a wire figure who dispensed food and drink, the monkeys, hands down, sought the emotional comfort and security from the cuddly figure (even if it didn't have food or drink.)
Hugs with people you love, trust, and care for release oxytocin, the love hormone. Did you know that oxytocin gets released after an embrace of 20 seconds (2)? There is even more justification to linger a little longer in that hug. After long stressful days, I love to spend time giving and receiving hugs. My kids are the best huggers and we take full advantage of giving and sharing hugs as much as we can. I always feel relaxed, happier, and closer to my kids and I see it have the same effect on my kids too.
Hugs, according to Cross (3) also: 1) help release stress because oxytocin reduces stress hormone norepinephrine,2) may improve our immunity, 3) improve heart health by decreasing blood pressure and heart rate, 4) can reduce anxiety, 5) can reduce pain, and 6) increase happiness.
Loving touch is so important for all humans and when we lose this physical connection, it negatively affects our health. I am reminded of my clients who have lost a partner or those clients whose partner is no longer capable of physical intimacy due to mobility issues. The loss of touch is devastating and so finding outlets, like massage, that provide touch are healing.
Family therapist,Virginia Satir-(4) states that we need 4 hugs a day for survival, 8 hugs a day for maintenance, and 12 hugs a day for growth. I don't know about you, but I don't come close to receiving or giving that many hugs. I definitely need to up my hug game. What about you? How do you feel after hugging? Thanks for reading. I hope to see you back here next time.
With a grateful heart,
Kerry
Resources:
1. https://www.simplypsychology.org/attachment.html
2. https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/02/06/hugging.aspx
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/hugging-benefits#3
4. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/98328-we-need-4-hugs-a-day-for-survival-we-need
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