Did You Get Your Hug Today

We all have more than likely offered a hug to someone or recieved one in our life time. But do we really know what a hug really is??

• Did you know that hugs are chemically equipped to make someone happy?? The reason is because of the chemical oxytocin "the bonding hormone"
• Did you know that hugs are proven to relieve stress and help individuals relax?? 
• Getting hugs from those I love are my favorites. Whether it be from my child, grandchild, husband or another family member knowing I am loved feels great 
• A recent survey showed the top 3 huggable animals included dogs, cats and rabbits.

Offering a friend or family member who may be going through a difficult period of time in their lives a hug can help reduce their stress and offer them a bit of support. Hugs can help us stay close and connected to people you care about. Hugs can also offer the health benefits to our bodies and minds. 

• "Hugging protects people who are under stress from the increased risk for colds [that's] usually associated with stress," notes study lead author Sheldon Cohen, a professor of psychology at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania. Hugging "is a marker of intimacy and helps generate the feeling that others are there to help in the face of adversity."

Research shows that deep hugs benefits both the giver and receiver in these ways 

• touch of a hug helps to build trust and a sense of safety. When trust is built open and honest communication can take place 
• Hugs can help lift serotonin levels that can help elevate mood and happiness
• The immune system can be made stronger by hugs. 
• Self esteem is built through hugs. From the time we are born touch of hugs shows us that we are loved and special. As adults we have stored those memories of how hugs made us feel.
• Tension in the body muscles can be released through hugging. 
• Hugs help teach us to give and receive and teaches us that love flows both ways. It encourages empathy and understanding in a relationship. 

Do yourself a favor and give someone a Hug Today

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