Hugs

Each month my children's school sends home a paper with what is going on that month and there is always a Counselor's note.  I really liked this one. 

Hugs--why we need them 

Hugging can be described as a handshake from the heart.  The simple action of embracing creates feel-good energy for both the giver and recipient.  Science has been looking into its positive effects, and numerous studies related to hugging show that hugging is a crucial part of human development.

Hugging is Heart Healthy:  Embracing activates the hormone oxytocin, which makes us feel all warm and fuzzy.  Give your heart a boost with some hugs.

Hugging Reduces Stress Naturally:  If you are feeling a bit drained or pressured, find someone you care about and give them an all-enveloping hug.  Research has found that embracing reduces the amount of cortisol (stress hormone) in our bodies, releasing tension and sending calming messages to the brain.  Quick fix for relieving stress -- a hug.  

Hugging Babies Helps Them Become Well - Adjusted Adults:  Touch is critical to infants, especially in their early stages of life, as it helps them bond with others as they get older.  Hugging and showing affection are important for a baby's development.  

Hugging is Important For Adults Too:  Physical touch and hugging can combat feelings of loneliness that arise as people get older.  Seniors can improve their well - being with a tender embrace.  

Hugging Can Regenerate Muscles:  An experiment performed on mice found that older mice who were injected with oxytocin regenerated their muscles faster, matching the regeneration rate of younger mice.  Add hugs to your workout.  

Hugging Can Make You a More Mindful and Present Person:  Being in the present moment has been shown to increase happiness, and this simple meditation is a great way to combine mindfulness with a powerful dose of oxytocin.  Try the hugging meditation to center and connect.  

Hugging Can Minimize Fears:  A study on fears and self-esteem looked into the connection between human touch and reducing the fear of mortality.  Hugging can help alleviate fears.

Hugging For Longer Periods of Time is Better for the Body:  When people hug for 20 seconds or more, the feel-good hormone oxytocin is released which creates a stronger bond and connection between the huggers. Oxytocin has been shown to boost the immune system and reduce stress.

Teresa Handy