The Health Benefits of Hugs
If the pandemic taught us anything, it taught us how much we need our hugs. Elbow bumps just didn’t cut it. Going without hugs was devastating. It became clear that we need them for our overall well-being. And these days, we’re finally seeing more talk about the benefits of hugs and how many we should be getting.
Hugs saved me during a terrifying time during the pandemic. I was living in NYC up until May 2020. I was working for Patagonia at the time, and they told us to stay safe and stay home.
Yeah. Right. If I was going to wait out a pandemic, I was going to do that in the woods, not a concrete jungle. I headed straight to Wyoming to stay with close friends. I left almost everything behind because, of course, I planned to return.
However, by the time I reached WY, NYC had become a disaster zone. As my friends put it, “You’re not heading back to the Big Apple any time soon.”
Unfortunately, I had to go back way sooner than I wanted. Someone tried to break into my apartment, and everything I owned was still there. I had to go back and assess the damage.
Returning to the city was one of the scariest times in my life. NYC wasn’t on lockdown anymore; however, it was still very unsafe and unstable. Plus, there was this energy of fear and isolation. The few people on the streets had thick walls around them. Seeing my city in such doom killed me.
I cried A LOT. It was clear that my chapter in NYC had ended, and I wasn’t ready for it. I didn’t want to leave, especially this way. I wanted to see my neighbors and hug them. I wanted to see my environmental community and hug them. I wanted to see my yoga community and hug them. I was leaving, and I couldn’t even say goodbye.
The only thing I had was my teddy bear. And I hugged him – the entire time. I wrapped my arms around his soft body and buried my nose in the back of his head. I needed something to give me some ease. And I swear, if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have been able to get through that experience all on my own.
And that’s how I became an advocate for ensuring we get our daily hugs.
Why is hugging good for you?
Oxytocin is the hormone responsible for emotional bonding, and both dopamine and serotonin make us feel joyous. Triggering these three chemical musketeers is an inspiring feeling.
Hugs lower blood pressure and heart rates. They alleviate anxiety and low self-esteem.
They bring steadiness and ease into your being. And they keep you in a calm state, providing more clarity.
Just how many hugs should we be getting?
The news on the street is:
4 hugs a day for survival
8 hugs a day for mental stability
12 hugs a day for real psychological growth
What if I am single or on my own?
Don’t worry, I am, too…and I got you. Actually, you got you. Because guess what? Self-hugs are powerful, too. Give yourself a squeeze and see what I mean (check out this video for self-huggin’ tips). Here are some other ideas:
Hug a pet if you have one
Hug a tree
Hug a soft toy
Use a weighted blanket
Book a massage
Or get your hair washed (yep, really)
Have someone to hug?
Take care of each other, and make sure you get your daily hugs in! Aim for 8. They’re some of the best medicine you can give yourself. And they’re absolutely free with zero negative side effects.
See someone you know who could use a hug?
Offer one up! And if they really could use one, make sure it lasts for at least 20 seconds. There are even more benefits when the hug is longer.
Remember, hugs must be done with consent from people, plants, and animals. Ensure they’re cool with it, then go in for a lovely warm embrace, letting the oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin do their thing.
Hug a Tree. Really.
Hugging a tree is not only an act of reassuring kindness toward the self but also a form of robust (and otherwise easily missed) communication with nature. When we embrace the trunk of a growing tree, we can feel a soothing flow of feel-good hormones released into our system.
I’m not talking about a hesitant pat on the bark. Wrap your arms fully around the chosen tree and feel its steadying presence. Lean into the structure to feel your souls connect. Take a deep breath to deepen the connection.
We are consciously acting with a gentle heart by embracing nature in this way. We are not seeking to harm or take from the tree. We only offer our presence with no expectation of a return, a rare but vital practice within a modern social culture of “take.”
So, there’s my prescription for getting all the hugs you need!
Quick Ps. This article inspired my hugs-for-wellness approach. I just love that it came from Forbes. I would have never guessed.
