10 Benefits of Hugging

Did you know today is National Hugging Day? Personally, I don’t need a specific day to celebrate this huggable moment, being a mom of two little ones, I try my best to get as much hugs in as possible. I know once they get older, it will be few and far between, so until they tell me that I am embarrassing them, I lavish them with lots of hug and kisses. My hugs isn’t limited to my kids either, I have been known on a few occasions to lean in for a hug while meeting a friend only to be met with an hand shake, can you say awkward. Some people are qualmish when it comes to their personal space so you have to proceed with caution, and most importantly ask before you act. Logistics aside though, research have shown that there are lots of positive effect and health benefits to hugging. A hug is a great way to let someone know you care, so in honor of National Hugging Day, January 21st, Baymax, the huggable hero shared the 10 benefits of hugging.

10 Benefits of Hugging

1. Hugs make us feel “happy”! When we hug another person, our bodies release oxytocin, a hormone associated with “happiness,” according to scientific studies. [1]
2. Hugs alleviate stress! Just as a good hug increases our oxytocin levels, it decreases our cortisol or “stress” levels. [2]
3. Babies need hugs as much as water and food! According to researchers at Harvard University, hugs help promote normal levels of cortisol necessary for child development. [3]
4. Hugs make us better students! Students who receive a supportive touch from a teacher are twice as likely to volunteer in class. [4]
5. Hugs improve our game! Scientists at University of California, Berkley discovered that the more affectionate members of a team are with each other, the more likely they are to win. [4]
6. A hug a day keeps the doctor away! A hug stimulates the thymus gland, which in turn regulates the production of white blood cells that keep us healthy and disease-free. [5]
7. A hug stops the bug! Researchers at Carnegie Mellon proved that individuals who were sick and received hugs had less severe symptoms and were able to get better quicker. [6]
8. A hugging heart is a healthy heart! Research from University of North Carolina showed that a good hug helps ease blood flow and lower cortisol levels, which in turn help lower our heart rates. [7]
9. A hugging couple is a happy couple! Couples that experience their partners’ love through physical affection share higher oxytocin levels. [8]
10. Hugs let someone know you care without having to say a word! According to Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at University of California, Berkeley, we can identify love from simple human touch – imagine how much love a big hug can communicate! [9]

Still not convinced? Enjoy a clip of  Baymax’s hugging moments from Big Hero 6

Big Hero 6 comes to Digital HD & Disney Movies everywhere on February 3 & Blu-ray February 24!

Can’t wait till the February 24, here are some Big Hero 6 Activity Sheets to hold you over.

Source [1] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101115160304.htm [2]http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/01/05/touching.makes.you.healthier.health/ [3] http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/1998/06.11/OfHugsandHormon.html [4] http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/health/23mind.html [5] http://preventdisease.com/news/14/012314_9-Reasons-Need-Giving-Receiving-Hugs-Everyday.shtml [6] http://bigthink.com/ideafeed/boost-your-immune-system-with-hugs [7] http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/hugs-boost-immune-health [8] http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2007/February/docs/01features_01.htm [9] http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/hands_on_research