Why Hugs Feel so Snug

Writer: Tasnia Hakim | Editor: Vienna Mak

Humans are very social creatures. We have various forms of communication, from talking to gestures. One of the most common forms of communication is touch. For instance, handshakes signal something formal and hugs signal something warm. Communication through hugs have unfortunately received some mixed responses. On one hand, many who like hugs see it as a way to display love to people. On the other hand, others who dislike them choose to refrain.

In a case study, a sample of 404 adults was interviewed every night for fourteen consecutive days about receiving hugs and the issues they had going on. The results showed a negative correlation between hugs and conflict; increased hugs resulted in a decrease of conflict. In other words, hugs helped alleviate issues, which as a result, decreased the person’s amount of stress from conflicts. This happens because hugs are a way to show empathy to someone regarding their situation. Empathy is crucial in reducing stress since it helps the person feel less stressed Furthermore, hugs help decrease cardiovascular issues as a result of decreased stress. Higher stress causes high blood pressure since, under stress, your body creates a rush of hormones, which constricts your blood vessels and leads to higher blood pressure. Hugs help decrease this by Thus, this shows how hugs decrease stress, but you might be wondering why and how this exactly happens.

Well, you’re at the right place! Hug, alike other forms of interpersonal touch, release a chemical called oxytocin. It is produced in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain which controls activities in the body and helps release oxytocin into the bloodstream from the pituitary gland. The role of oxytocin is to increase levels of happiness and to reduce stress, especially during difficult situations. Oxytocin helps improve the cardiovascular system by reducing hormone levels of stress hormones like cortisol or norepinephrine, which constrict blood vessels. As a result, it reduces blood pressure. Overall, hugs help release oxytocin, which helps to make you happier.

Similarly, hugs also decrease sickness by strengthening your immune system. Stress reduces the efficiency of your immune system since it makes blood pressure high and releases more hormones. To illustrate, stress releases hormones, like corticosteroids, that lower the number of active immune system cells combating illness. Thus, since hugs help decrease stress, it can help with the efficiency of the immune system.

All in all, not only are hugs a great way to show your love, they are a healthy coping mechanism in response to stress that gives off multiple health benefits The next time you give a hug, you can think about how much you are helping the recipient of the hug and pat yourself on the back!

Citations:

• Cirino, E. (2018, April 11). What Are the Benefits of Hugging? Retrieved March 31, 2021, from https://www.healthline.com/health/hugging-benefits

• Mcleod, S. (1970, January 01). Stress, illness, and the immune system. Retrieved March 31, 2021, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/stress-immune.html#:~:text=When%20we're%20stressed%2C%20the,lowers%20the%20number%20of%20lymphocytes).

• Murphy, M., Janicki-Deverts, D., & Cohen, S. (2018). Receiving a hug is associated with the attenuation of negative mood that occurs on days with interpersonal conflict. PloS one, 13(10), e0203522. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203522

• O. (2015, January 06). Hugs not bugs: How hugging may help prevent colds. Retrieved March 31, 2021, from https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2015/01/010615_cvarticle-hugs-prevent-colds.php