During the exciting hours at work, I remind my co-workers that they need six to eight hugs just to break even for the day.
When I first started this scenario, I quoted factual studies to prove I knew what I was talking about which I believed was necessary because I work with a bunch of very smart people.
No kidding! My co-workers are super smart and very modest about it too. What a combination!
Anyway, I started getting hugs after relating these not so well known facts.
Let me backtrack for a second.
This is really good information, so just for clarification before you continue, oxytocin is a hormone in the brain.
According to a study out of the University of North Carolina, hugging increases levels of oxytocin which reduces blood pressure. When your blood pressure is reduced, it lowers the risk of heart disease.
Stupendous!
Well, what exactly constitutes a hug?
A hug involves one person closing their arms around the other person and holding them. Sounds nice. This warm, human contact produces happiness and allows us to feel that we are not alone in this world.
Now that’s awesome!
Will any kind of hug produce this effect?
Yes! All of them!
That’s even better news!
Here is a description of some hugging styles that will warm your heart and probably make you chuckle…
- Normal hug shared between friends
- Gentle, long, comforting hug that only Mom can give you
- Big, strong, I-will-keep-you-safe hug from Dad
- Lots-of-people group hug
- The-back-of-you-while-standing hug sneaks up on you from behind
- Spooning-form-of-holding-from-behind-while-falling-to-sleep hug
- From-the-side hug when you don’t want too much contact
- Run-and-jump-in-your-arms hug when you haven’t seen someone in a long time
- Lover hug that echoes passion and whispers “forever with you”
- Pat-you-on-the-back-because-I-don’t-want-to-hug-you hug
- Grab-your-neck-and-nearly-choke-you hug from a child
Although we have briefly touched (pun intended) the science and explored some types of hugging, the embrace is enigmatic.
It transmits emotions of varying degrees without the need for words. Love and caring transends words and permeates our bodies when we hug.
Have you given and received enough hugs today?
If not, I’ll help you catch up…
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