Bonitas Member Magazine B-Living - Issue 2 | Page 27

But what makes hugs so special? Hugging a pet can help too
Hugging can decrease the stress hormone that inhibits
the immune system and increase the hormones and
peptides that regulate the functioning of immune
cells. The ‘squeeze’ increases your oxytocin levels
(oxytocin is a neuropeptide), which are responsible for
producing a calming eff ect. This means hugs don’t only
make you feel good but they lower blood pressure, are
good for our hearts and a natural stress reliever. They can
also be comforting and reassuring. Owning a pet is also good for your health. The proven
benefi ts for people are varied but include enhancing
social skills to decreasing the risk of a heart attack. Pets
are an ideal way to beat the blues and lift the spirits, as
they off er unconditional love and also give their owners a
sense of purpose. Pets also combat feelings of loneliness
by providing companionship, which can boost your overall
mood and even bring you feelings of joy and happiness.
We all know how a squeeze of the hand or a gentle tap
puts us at ease. In some situations, when someone is in
pain, a comforting touch or hug can act as a numbing
agent and reduce the pain intensity. This is backed by
extensive research by the University of Miami’s Touch
Research Institute in the USA, which also shows that
human touch is important for all ages. But often, by the
time children reach their teens, they receive only half
as much touching as they did in the early part of their
lives. Adults touch each other even less but can benefi t
from hugging the most; yet hugging and physical touch
become increasingly important with age.
Loneliness, particularly with age, can increase stress
and have adverse health eff ects. The older you are, the
more fragile you are physically, so contact becomes
increasingly important for good health. By hugging
someone, we instantly feel closer to that person and it
lessens the feeling of being alone.
B-Living Issue 2, 2017
Many pet owners agree that a pet can fi ll your heart with
love. Studies show that having a pet can improve the
overall health of the heart too. The Centres for Disease
Control and Prevention conducted heart-related studies
on people who have pets and the fi ndings showed that pet
owners exhibit decreased blood pressure, cholesterol and
triglyceride levels – all of which can ultimately minimise
the risk of a heart attack. For heart attack survivors, your
pets can help signifi cantly on your way to a good recovery.
So, if you’re feeling a little down – emotionally or
physically – find someone to give you a hug (best to
ask them fi rst). Likewise, if you see someone in need,
remember that a simple pat on the back, a caress of the
arm or a hug can change their mood and make them
healthier.