Have a Hug… It’s Good for Your Health
Better health and less stress just may be a snuggle away. Women in one study who reported more frequent hugs from their “better half ” had lower blood pressure than other women who hugged less. Another study found handholding and hugging tamed the effects of a stressful situation in women and men.
As a form of social support, hugging may help “buffer” stress by raising levels of oxytocin. This brain chemical may help us feel “connected” to others in a way that improves our health.
May/June 2006 A Healthy Tomorrow
The editorial content of this online publication is taken from the print version of A Healthy Tomorrow published by Loma Linda University Medical Center.