Have you ever noticed how great a good hug feels, especially when you hug someone you know and love such as a parent, your child, your spouse or significant other, a family member, or a great friend? According to neurophysiologist Jürgen Sandkühler, Head of the Centre for Brain Research at the Medical University of Vienna, hugging someone you know and trust can help reduce stress, fear, and anxiety; lower your blood pressure; promote wellbeing; and improve memory performance.
Hugging stimulates our brain to release oxytocin into our blood, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and anxiety, and can improve memory. Oxytocin is known to increase bonding and closeness between parents, children, and couples.
Hugging also stimulates our brain to release dopamine, the pleasure hormone. Dopamine is released as a result of rewarding experiences. And long hugs increase serotonin levels, which elevate mood and create happiness.
There are even more benefits to hugging those we care about. Our self esteem is boosted because a good hug shows us that we’re loved and special. Hugs relax muscles and release tension. And hugs enrich relationships.
And by the way, those same benefits apply to hugging your pet.
Have you had your hugs today?
Resources
Hugging stimulates our brain to release oxytocin into our blood, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and anxiety, and can improve memory. Oxytocin is known to increase bonding and closeness between parents, children, and couples.
Hugging also stimulates our brain to release dopamine, the pleasure hormone. Dopamine is released as a result of rewarding experiences. And long hugs increase serotonin levels, which elevate mood and create happiness.
There are even more benefits to hugging those we care about. Our self esteem is boosted because a good hug shows us that we’re loved and special. Hugs relax muscles and release tension. And hugs enrich relationships.
And by the way, those same benefits apply to hugging your pet.
Have you had your hugs today?
Resources
- http://www.meduniwien.ac.at/homepage/news-and-topstories/en/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=3197&cHash=2fde5afa0b
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2266373/Hugging-lower-blood-ressure-boost-memory.html
- http://ccn.aacnjournals.org/content/24/3/8.full
- http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5756/10-Reasons-Why-We-Need-at-Least-8-Hugs-a-Day.html
- http://breakingmuscle.com/health-medicine/hugs-are-awesome-and-good-for-your-health-too
RSS Feed