Hugging your way to good health
Scientific research shows that every human being needs four hugs a day to merely survive, eight hugs to maintain strong emotional levels and 12 hugs a day to become a better person.
Touching and hugging have powerful and positive psychological effects on both the giver and the receiver. Recent studies have clearly documented the emotional and physical health benefits that come from touch, which is now being seen as fundamental to human communication, bonding and health.
Who doesn’ t enjoy a good bear hug?
Whether you are in the arms of your partner, greeting a friend or comforting someone, a hug can make you feel protected and loved. And, believe it or not, that warm, fuzzy feeling you get from a hug is not only good for your body and mind but might even help you avoid getting sick this winter.
Research indicates that feeling connected to others, especially through physical touch, protects us from stress-induced sickness. Dr Shelden Cohen of Carnegie Mellon University, who’ s work focuses on the roles of stress and social support systems in health and well-being, conducted a study of over 400 healthy individuals were interviewed about their perceived social support over a two-week period.
Researchers exposed the participants to the common cold virus and monitored them to assess symptoms and signs of infection. They found that the people who perceived themselves as having good social support and received frequent hugs had less or no symptoms and signs of infection. The people who went through interpersonal conflict and the people who received fewer or no hugs, however: exhibited different symptoms and signs of infection.
Page 25 B-Living Issue 2, 2017