WCDB

There’s nothing quite like a hug❗️

An embrace can show affection, offer condolences, be a greeting or a goodbye, and of course provide comfort to our family or friends.

But did you know there are science-backed facts about hugs that prove their positive impact on our lives?

THEY RELIEVE STRESS AND PAIN

A warm hug often creates a calming or relaxing feeling. That’s because oxytocin, sometimes called the “cuddle hormone” is released when people or pets snuggle up to us. The oxytocin release has been found to potentially:

- Reduce inflammation
- Improve wound healing
- Lessen cravings for drugs, alcohol, and sweets
- Lower heart rate and stress

Giving someone a firm, reassuring hug before or during a stressful event, can help them stay calm because your hug elevates their oxytocin level.

In pain? Similar to the way that a hug can reduce stress, it also decreases pain. A 20-second hug can release enough oxytocin to make you feel better. Research from the Journal of Sleep Medicine & Disorders suggests that weighted blankets simulate being held or hugged. The weight of the blanket creates pressure points that relieve anxiety and can help you sleep.