Share a hug to relieve stress

Oh Lily, what a great discussion you have started! I firmly believe in the healing value of hugs, as I did much research during my master's studies on the value of 'touch therapy.' The human touch (via hugs or whatever medium one wishes) can do wonders for an individual who is sick (either mentally or physically). In addition to decreased release of cortisol, there is said to be a receipt of energy. I have seen the value of hugs and touch first hand while working in the intensive care unit of hospitals. A young doctoral student was doing a study on the healing value of touch and we recorded everything from heart rate, blood pressure, movement and other data before and after touch. The findings were fascinating! The touch did not necessarily have to be from family members either! The nurse's touch had similar effects as that of family members! Lets all vow to hug our loved ones today and everyday! And if we have a friend who appears to need a hug, lets not waste a moment in giving them a hug!

I didn't get my hug today and I didn't give any hug to anyone in real life. I may want to send some virtual hugs today to stay balanced.... (((((lilybug)))))

You know... I think this is very true... there are times when I just have to stop and get a hug from my kids... and it makes me feel OHHH so much better!!!

My mom gave me a hug before I left her house today. Of course my dog hugs me all the time, LOL. I am a hugger and I admit it. I have to be careful though because I don't want to hug someone who doesn't like that. I read once that a person needed 5 hugs a day to maintain a happy outlook. Now I know other factors have to be considered, but it was something about human touch being so important.

Oh I agree, lilybug! I love hugs and I love to hug everyone! I am a hugger and it does feel good to get a hug! It does help to relieve stress! Lots of hugs to you!! :)

I collect hugs every day from my daughter. Or my niece if she is around, she is a good cuddle bug, too. Oh, and my nephew -- he's usually good for hugs. You know, it is odd -- my own family growing up had nearly no hugs going on. But now, as an Adult, my life is full of physical signs of affection. Maybe I'm the mailman's kid after all. :p

This is an amazing news. After this, I will surely hug my partner every now and then. Well, I think, it really works. Every time I hug or embrace someone, I feel more secured, safe and loved. There's so much joy in hugging especially if you are doing it to the one you truly love. It will be heaven in disguise.

hi lilybug. About hugs, Im a hugger person, I love hugs, and i love getting hugs from hubby. I didn't know that it could relieve stress, thanks for the info. What I know is that feels good when you get hugged by a person you love. I get hugs from him everytime he gets home from work. I give a lot too, and it makes him feel better,since he's very stressed at his job. I'll keep that in mind, and hug him more!

I haven't had a hug today. :( My husband and I are living apart right now (we aren't separated or anything, we just have to live apart at the moment) so he isn't around to give me a hug. My one son will give hugs sometimes...my other son won't hug hardly ever. My daughter...well, she is 14...'nuff said. haha The physical touch can actually lower your blood pressure. Studies have shown that, if you are a pet lover, petting your dog or cat can do the same thing. I worked in a nursing home once that embraced that philosophy and we had dogs, cats, fish and birds that lived in the home. We were also encouraged to bring our own dogs in (if they could behave appropriately of course). Some residents didn't care for animals but it was interesting to see how the animals sensed that and stayed away from them. And one elderly patient on the dementia wing thought he was just in the hospital and insisted that "dogs don't belong in the hospital!!" lol.