I think hugging is one of the most powerful ways to show your support to someone without saying anything. It is also a universal love language through which humans can transmit a whole range of emotions, from love, to empathy and longing.
In a society where human connection becomes more and more rare, hugs can be a very beneficial way of keeping us in touch with each other and this is why it is so important:
It has a good impact on your health
It is not by chance that after we hug someone even for a short interval, we almost instantly feel better. Studies have shown that hugging can reduce the stress level for the receiver, but also for the giver. When a loved one is having a though period in their life, a simple but effective way to show your support is hugging them.
It can also help in your heart health, by reducing the blood pressure levels and heart rate, but it can also reduce your chances to get sick over time.
It has a great impact on your mental health
I think everyone can agree that hugging someone makes you feel less alone and isolated in your struggles of any kind. When we don’t know what it is an appropriate to say, or how to show our support, I found out that hugging is the best way to do it. After all, human touch is a very important aspect in our lives.
It is shown that hugging, touching, or even staying close to someone, releases the chemical in our body called Oxytocin, also known as the “cuddle hormone”, that helps us feel happy. Scientist also say that touch can reduce anxiety in people with low self-esteem and prevent people from isolating themselves.
It helps you connect with others
No matter what is the relation between the people that are hugging, I think it is a kindly reminder that we, as human beings, can connect at any time with someone and that provides a feeling of comfort.
What is beautiful about it is also the way you can communicate something like “I’m here for you”, “don’t worry, you are not alone”, or “I love you” without actually saying the words.
You don’t have someone to hug? Try hugging yourself!
If we don’t have someone to hug, we can also try hugging ourselves, as an act of self-love and support. Yes, this actually exists, and it has many health benefits that are nicely detailed and explained in this article, that I truly recommend checking on.
