18/02/2022
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING HELD
The average length of a hug between two people is 3 seconds. But researchers have discovered something amazing. When a hug lasts 20 seconds, it has a therapeutic effect on body and mind. The reason why a sincere hug produces a hormone called “Oxytocin”, also known as the love hormone. This substance has many benefits for our physical and mental health, including helping us relax, feel safe and soothe our fears and anxieties. This wonderful tranquilizer is offered free of charge every time we have a person in our arms cradling a child who loves a dog or cat, that we dance with our partner whenever we get closer to someone or feel oh the shoulders hold a friend.
A famous quote from psychotherapist Virginia Satir reads: "We need four hugs a day to survive." We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day to grow. “Whether these exact numbers have been scientifically proven remains to be seen, but there is a lot of scientific evidence about the importance of hugs and body contact. Here are some reasons why we should hug:
1. OXYTOCIN STIMULATE
Oxytocin is a neurotransmitter that affects the limbic system, the emotional center of the brain, promotes feelings of satisfaction, reduces anxiety and stress, and even makes mammals monogamous. It’s the hormone responsible for all of us being here today. You see this little gem is released during birth and makes our Mums forget all the horrible pain they endured, kicking us out of their bodies and still loving them and spending time with us gen would like to. New research from the University of California suggests it has a similar civilizing effect on male humans, making them more loving and better at building relationships and social bonds. And it dramatically increased the libido and sexual performance of the test subjects. When we hug someone, oxytocin is released into our body from our hypophysis and lowers both our heart rate and cortisol levels. Cortisol is the hormone responsible for stress, high blood pressure and heart disease.
2. THE CULTIVATION OF PATIENCE
Connection is fostered when people take the time to appreciate and acknowledge one another. A hug is one of the easiest ways to show appreciation and appreciation to another person. The world is a busy, busy place and we are constantly rushing to the next task. By slowing down and taking a moment throughout the day to offer heartfelt hugs, we benefit ourselves and others and cultivate better patience within ourselves.
3. PREVENTS DISEAS
Affection also has a direct reaction to reducing stress, preventing many diseases. The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine has conducted more than 100 studies on touch and found evidence of significant effects, including faster growth in premature babies, less pain, less e symptoms of autoimmune disease, lower glucose levels in children with diabetes, and improved immune systems in people with cancer.
4. STIMULATES THE THYMUS GAND
Hugs boost your immune system. The gentle pressure on the chest bone and the emotional charge it creates activates the solar plexus chakra. This stimulates the Thymus Gland which regulates and balances the body’s own production of white blood cells keeping you healthy and free from disease.
5. COMMUNICATION WITHOUT WORDS
Nearly 70 percent of communications are nonverbal. Body language interpretation can be based on a single gesture, and hugs are an excellent method to express yourself nonverbal to another human or animal. Not only can they feel the love and care in your embrace, but they can also actually be receptive enough to pass it on to others alone because of your initiative.
6. SELF-CONFENCE
Hugs boost self-esteem, especially with children. Key sense is very important in babies. A baby first recognizes his parents by the touch. From birth, our family touch shows us that we are loved and special. The associations of self-esteem and tactile sensations from our early years are still embedded in our nervous system as adults. The caresses we received growing up from our moms and dads shape us on a cellular level, and hugs remind us on a somatic level. Hugs, therefore, connect us to our ability to love ourselves.
7. THE DOPAMINE STIMULATES
Everything everyone does involves protecting and releasing the flow of dopamine. Low dopamine levels play a role in neurodegenerative Parkinson's disease as well as affective disorders such as depression. Dopamine is responsible for giving us that well-being feeling, and it is also responsible for motivation! Hugs stimulate the brain to release dopamine, the pleasure hormone. Dopamine sensors are the areas that many stimulating drugs such as co***ne and methamphetamine are targeting. The presence of certain types of dopamine receptors is also associated with sensation-seeking.
8. SEROTONIN STIMULATES
Stretching and hugging releases endorphins and serotonin into the blood vessels and the released endorphins & serotonin brings joy and negates pain and sadness and reduces the risk of heart problems,help with recovery control obesity and extend life. Cuddling pets also has a calming effect that relieves stress. A longer hug raises serotonin levels, lifts mood and creates happiness.
9. PARASYMPATHETIC BALANCE
Hugs balance the nervous system. The skin contains a network of tiny, uniformed pressure centers, called pacinian bodies, that can sense touch and come into contact with the brain via the vagus nerve. Galvanic skin reaction of someone receiving and giving a hug shows a change in skin conductivity. The effect of moisture and electricity in the skin indicates a more balanced state of the nervous system – parasympathic.
Hug, hug with all your heart.
