What difference can daily hugs make in our lives? Studies have shown that 7 hugs a day can help keep the doctor away, and that hugs have greater benefits than we’ve ever given them credit for.
So what is it about these 7 daily hugs that are making researchers sit up and take notice? Hugging gives people a sense of safety and trust- we can all attest to that. But hugs do much more than give us warm fuzzy feelings. They instantly boost the body’s oxytocin levels. Oxytocin is responsible for healing the feelings of anger and loneliness. When it is released oxytocin helps people feel more open and more willing to communicate truthfully.
Would you believe that hugs can strengthen your immune system too? It’s true! Hugs stimulate your thymus gland which is responsible for your white blood cell production. It turns out that the happier your thymus gland is, the healthier you are. Hugs also relax your muscles, relieving tension in the body and in turn help soothe aches and pains.
We’ve all felt the self-esteem boosts of hugs. Remember how comforting it was to get a hug from someone you loved when you were a little kid. You could get an embrace from just about anyone just by stretching out your arms. Hugs made you feel safe and special. Throughout our lives, knowing that we are loved by others (and feeling that love from them) helps boost our own self-love.
The simple act of a hug teaches us to give love and accept the love of others. Researchers have found that hugs are as beneficial when they are given as they are when they are received. Plus, the logic of hugging is that those who give hugs must also be willing to get them back.
Hugging has been shown to be as healing as laughter and meditation because hugs help us connect with our feelings. When we share a hug with another human being we are investing in that relationship.
Of course, who says we have to limit ourselves to 7 hugs a days? Virginia Satir once said “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.” It’s safe to say that hugging is a therapy that doesn’t need a set limit.
Speaking of healthful habits, it’s time we add another positive to our lives. Robert Schrauf found that no matter our age or culture, we have more words in our vocabulary that express negative thoughts and feelings than words that express positive ones. It’s sad to say, but negative words dominate our language, while positive words are fewer and farther between.
When we speak positivity we think, act and live positively. Because our brains are driven by our state of mind, the simple act of speaking positive words can align our thought processes and make us more positive people.
Positive people anticipate happiness. They allow their minds to focus on health and success rather than failure and sickness. They believe that they can overcome anything that life throws at them. These people are not only aware of the positive things about life, they have adopted the habit of positive thinking and it is their way of life.
Positive people don’t keep this way of thinking to themselves either. Just like hugging, positive people embrace others with positive words. They don’t want to keep all of that happiness to themselves. They want to share it! For example; the lady in line at the supermarket who turns to you and says “Isn’t it beautiful outside today?” is sharing her positivity with you, just like someone would share a hug.
So, in addition to hugs, what if we added more positive words to our daily lives? Positive words have many of the same benefits that hugs do. Positive words build our self-esteem, they have healing qualities and have the power to change our lives.
It’s time to raise the positivity bar! Get out there, hug some people and share words of encouragement with those around you.
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