Here’s my challenge to you today: Can you give away 20 hugs
today? Then going forward how about seeing how many hugs you can give away
every day? OK, so I'm not sending you out to hug random strangers. That would
just be weird, not to mention…unsafe! There are however so many reasons that
hugs are a great idea and a lot of the reasons have to do with your health!
1)
Hugs have been shown scientifically to increase
the levels of the hormone oxytocin
in the body. This tends to lead to feelings of attachment, connection, trust and intimacy. Not bad! I’d say we
could all use a boost of that hormone, don’t you?
2)
If you are the parent of a toddler or small
child, work those hugs! Psychologists say hugs improve children’s behavior by reassuring them of love.
3)
Social effects of hugs: Hugs increase social
bonding, increase happiness and
decrease stress.
4)
More health benefits: Hugs improve heart rate, decrease blood pressure and decrease
the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
All this from a free hug!!
Need more reasons to hug? Studies now show hugs help ward
off depression and boost immunity.
So go ahead, take full advantage of the benefits of national hug day today…and
every day for that matter!
Sending you hugs and blessings,
Dr.Shepherd
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