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The other day my husband sneaked up on me and gave me a big hug. He read somewhere (Facebook probably) that women need hugs for their psychological well-being. Apparently hugging releases positive hor

The other day my husband sneaked up on me and gave me a big hug. He read somewhere (Facebook probably) that women need hugs for their psychological well-being. Apparently hugging releases positive hor

Author: Kasia Yoko
Date: 2017-01-20
The other day my husband sneaked up on me and gave me a big hug. He read somewhere (Facebook probably) that women need hugs for their psychological well-being. Apparently hugging releases positive hormones and is just generally essential for us.

After our brief, intimate moment in the kitchen, I decided to investigate. And this is what I found. We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.

Hugging increases levels of the "love hormone" oxytocin, which is beneficial for stress levels, heart health, and more.

A 20-second hug reduces the harmful physical effects of stress, including its impact on your blood pressure and heart rate.

The skin contains a network of tiny, egg-shaped pressure centres called Pacinian corpuscles that can sense touch and which are in contact with the brain through the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve winds its way through the body and is connected to a number of organs, including the heart.

It is also connected to oxytocin receptors. One theory is that stimulation of the vagus triggers an increase in oxytocin, which in turn leads to the cascade of health benefits.

A 10-second hug a day may fight infections, boost your immune system, ease depression and lessen fatigue.

The giver of a hug receives just as much benefit as the receiver, but some research suggests the healthiest hugs must come from someone you trust (as opposed to a stranger).

Further research shows that a hug, pat on the back, and even a friendly handshake are processed by the reward centre in the central nervous system, which is why they can have a powerful impact on the human psyche, making us feel happiness and joy And it doesn't matter if you're the toucher or touchee. The more you connect with others - on even the smallest physical level - the happier you'll be.

It is believed that a full-body hug stimulates your nervous system while decreasing feelings of loneliness, combating fear, increasing self-esteem, defusing tension, and showing appreciation. All that in a hug.

I am touched to know that hugging has just as much benefit for the person doing the hugging as the person being hugged; this reciprocal nature of touch makes me smile.

Touch is even described as a universal language that can communicate distinct emotions with startling accuracy. One study found that touch alone can reveal emotions including anger, fear, disgust, love, gratitude, and sympathy, with accuracy rates of up to 83 per cent.

So it its confirmed, hugs make you happier, healthier and more relaxed - and they improve your relationships! There is a catch however and my husband stressed this out - the hug needs to last longer than 20 seconds.

So what are you waiting for start hugging and sharing the love, who knows, you can change someone's life and it only takes 20 seconds.