Have you gotten eight or more hugs today? If you give and/or accept at least eight hugs, every day, you are less likely to get sick throughout the winter-sick-season according to a recent Carnegie Mellon University Study.[1]
Hugs help you feel connected and bring health benefits to your entire bodily system! Individuals who were exposed to the common cold virus and then received a genuinely appropriate hug were 32% less likely to come down with the cold due to the stress-buffering effects of hugging.[2]
Giving or receiving a hug releases oxytocin, a bonding and attachment hormone.
Oxytocin:
Elevates the mood.
Improves behavior.
Decreases heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol, stress hormones and inflammation.
Improves immune function and pain tolerance.
Facilitates faster wound healing.
Increases the “feel good” hormones such as serotonin and dopamine.
Produces calming effects, reducing depression, anxiety and attention disorders.
How can you get your daily dosage of good, appropriate hugs to stave off the cold and flu and let the stress fly away?
If you are finding it difficult to get eight hugs a day, no worries, because studies also show a decrease in stress hormone and improvement of overall health with a total body massage! A total body hug!
Sending you a virtual hug!
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