Hugging has impressive health benefits, particularly since it occurs for such a short time. Here are four reasons why hugging feels so good:
1. Hugging can reduce inflammation. Inflammation in our bodies is a physiological response to illness. Higher inflammation scores are indicative of your body trying to fight off infection.
Thus, low inflammation scores through physical affection suggest a healthier body. In one study, inflammation was measured using saliva samples from 20 adults who were also asked to record the number of hugs they received over 14 days.
Results showed that hugs were inversely related to inflammation.
To put it simply, more hugs equal less inflammation.
2. Hugging reduces blood pressure. In a study of 59 premenopausal women (ages ranging from 20 to 29 years old), the number of hugs received from a spouse predicted lower blood pressure scores. Blood pressure is one way to assess cardiovascular health, thus, hugging is good for your heart.
3. Hugging helps reduce the severity of the common cold. In a study of 404 adults, the number of hugs over 14 days was found to reduce the effects of interpersonal conflict on the severity of the common cold infection; hugs worked as a stress buffer where the severity of infection is reduced when hugs are frequent.
4. Hugging promotes the production of oxytocin. Oxytocin, or the “love” hormone, is released from our pituitary gland.
It is an important hormone because it can serve as a stress buffer but also makes us feel bonded and connected to others.
In a study of 34 married couples, increased hugging between spouses over a four-week study was related to increased scores of oxytocin.
Researchers have long been interested in the benefits of hugging. Because hugging can be easily manipulated or tracked, several experimental research studies have explored the benefits of hugs.
Only through experimental work can we put faith in the causal link between interpersonal touch behavior and physiological outcomes. As we learn more about the advantages of hugging, we might be able to understand how hugging interventions could play out in the real world.
If you’re single, you might be concerned that you don’t have anyone to hug. However, hugging is shared among a range of relationship types. You might hug someone as a greeting, for example, which may be commonplace depending on your culture. You might hug a close work colleague in congratulations for their promotion at work. You might hug a relative at the airport before you have to say bon voyage. Or you might simply hug someone because you want to feel close to them.
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If you are craving physical touch, you might consider simply asking your friends to hug hello and goodbye. What might initially feel awkward will soon become habitual, and everyone can reap the benefits of a brief embrace.
