Why hugs are the perfect medication

Heading home, with her head hanging low, she couldn’t even cry, she was so upset.

Opening the door, her boyfriend Ralph greeted her. As she poured out her heart and her disappointments, he wrapped his arms around her.

“That hug from Ralph worked like magic,” she told me, “I felt reassured and comforted.”

Hugging. It’s free, it only takes a few seconds but it leaves you with better emotional stability, social connectedness and even circulation.

It’s something you probably never think about. It’s something some people hate and other’s love. You may be more of a receiver than a giver, but either way, this is important for your health.

Research has shown that hugging and laughter is a therapy which acts as medicine for healing. It is also effective at healing disease, loneliness, depression, anxiety and easing stress just to mention a few, an appropriate hug, I mean a deep hug, where the hearts of the huggers are literally pressing together is beneficial.

It's so important, it has it's own movement - the 'Free Hug' movement which started in Sydney. The founder of the movement Juan Mann’s sole aim was to reach out to any stranger who was willing to open up for a hug and offer them a free hug.

He believed that the Free Hug campaign was the only way to put smiles on the faces of other humans and bring hope to the hopeless.

But have you ever stopped to think why we bother to hug other people?

Here are some of the benefits of pressing your body up against another’s!

For emotional development.

Hugs helps one to develop their self-confidence especially in children. Hugging children will develop their confidence throughout their childhood. A quick hug from a loved and trusted one most especially calms emotions and relaxes nerves.

Stress-free.

The best remedy for stress is a deep hug from a trusted or loved one. Trust it works like magic. It reduces the stress hormone cortisol. When babies and toddlers are stressed apply the hugging therapy for quick results. A quick hug for stressed toddlers can make all the difference.

Self-esteem booster

A hug from family members builds the sense of belongingness and acceptance. It indicates to us that we are loved and cared for making us feel special in the family. The belief of self-worth and sensations from childhood forms part of our adulthood. Hugs, therefore, connect us with our ability to self-love. Parents are therefore urged to inculcate the hug therapy in their children as this would go a long way of building their self-belongingness.

Muscle relaxer

Hugs releases tension in the body by taking away the pain and aches. If you have noticed, any time you hug, there’s a feeling of circulation within you that softens the tissue in the muscle.

Teaches the let go lessons

Hugs, just like laughter brings out one’s emotions. Huggers are able to let go and also be present in the moment. There’s some form of encouragement in the flow of energy. Hugs gets you out of your depressed zone and rejuvenates your heart by connecting with your feelings

Improves Health

A hug a day reduces the risk of getting cardiovascular diseases, boosts the immune system, fight infections, fight fatigue and ease depression. Shala Munroe, author of “How do hugs help children?” Says 10 seconds hug can lead to biochemical and physiological reactions in the body that can significantly improve one’s health.

Rekindles Affection

New friends who are looking forward to having a stable bond should hug. Old friends however should continue to reaffirm their bond through hugs. Affectionate people are known to be huggers.Unlike greeting hugs, affectionate hugs are often done in a given format, with a single quick squeeze and a cheek press.

According to psychotherapist Virginia Satir, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.” Eight or more might seem quite high but the healthiest hugs must come from someone you trust.”

Hugs are organic and must be practised by all and sundry.

So, why not start now, hug your friends, family or partner and kiss the pain and weakness goodbye.