Scientific Proof Your Boyfriend Has To Cuddle With You
When the stress of student loans gets to be too much, a cuddle a day can keep the doctor away.
As Millennials continue to flood the workforce with their signature hard work and confusing slang, it's hard to remember that a few short years (maybe even months) ago they were at college.
To most Millennials, college was a utopia, so being ushered into the workplace after graduation may have caused their stress levels to spike. Around 76 percent of Millennials reported feeling elevated levels of stress at work and admitted they aren't good at shaking off the feeling.
Science has shown that Millennials rising stress and anxiety levels have affected their absentee levels as well as their performance. Even more alarming are the health risks that come along with stressed out workers, specifically diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cardiac disease, according to Dr. Nancy Snyderman, NBC's chief medical editor.
The good news is that the simple act of hugging helps alleviate some negative symptoms of stress. It can relieve not only physical symptoms, but psychological symptoms. While it's not a cure-all, it's a damn good way to reconnect and revitalize yourself.
1. Hugs are a natural stress reliever.
We'll start out easy and come right out with the obvious. A welcome squeeze from your favorite people (or pop star) has been shown to reduce the amount of the stress hormone cortisol that our bodies produce. It also sends a calming signal to our brains to help maintain our chill. So stretch out your paws and find your favorite King of Pop.
2. The more hugs you get as a kid leads to a less stressed adult.
Well-hugged babies have been shown to be less stressed adults according to studies done by Emory University in Atlanta and McGill University in Montreal. They found that attention to infants that teach the infants that their actions have consequences on their environment early on. Whether you're babysitting someone else's monsters, the under-the-bed-monsters or just your regular monsters, give 'em a hug! It'll help them grow up unstressed.
3. Hugs Help Alleviate Our Fears
According to a study published in Psychological Science, hugs and touch significantly reduced the worry of mortality. Studies have further shown that existential fears are relieved by hugging—even if it's a teddy bear or lion. Lead researcher Sander Koole wrote in the study that "interpersonal touch is such a powerful mechanism that even objects that simulate touch by another person may help to instill in people a sense of existential significance." No need to be afraid of this big cat hug!
4. Adults benefit the most from hugging.
Feelings of loneliness, especially the kind that comes with age, can increase stress and negatively impacts your health. When adults hug each other, they immediately feel closer and have noted a decrease in feelings of loneliness. One study conducted at The Ohio State University also emphasizes that the more fragile you get with age, the more important contact becomes to maintain good health. No one quite like Jenna Maroney to teach you about good mental health habits.
5. Hugging can be good for our hearts.
Good for your soul and for warming the cold shackles of your heart, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill study showed that those who didn't have any contact with a partner had an increased heart rate to 10 beats per minute. Compared to the five beats per minute of those who were hugging their partners during the experiment. Pat your heart, open wide and invite your closest mate to jump in your arms.
6. Hugging can stimulate dopamine.
Hugs can stimulate the brain to release dopamine, the pleasure hormone. MRI and PET scans revealed that those who hug more or listen to really good music, your brain releases the feel good juice even the anticipation of either of those things releases the hormone. Let's all hope we can get a big ole chef hug sometime in our lives.
7. Hugs lower your blood pressure.
Touching makes you feel happier and helps your physical health. NPR reported that when someone touches you, the pressure sensation on your skin activates receptors called "Pacinian corpuscles" that send signals to the vagus nerve—the area of your brain that it in charge of lower blood pressure. I bet these Top Gun hero-bros are making it a through physicals with flying colors.
8. Hugging releases positive brain chemicals, like Oxytocin.
When you get a hug, Oxytocin is released in your brian's emotional center. It controls stress, reduces anxiety and promotes feelings of contentment. This miracle hormone also helps to strengthen emotional bonds. What we wouldn't give for an ol' Petey Holmes hug!
9. Hugging can help to stimulate Serotonin production.
Known for maintaining mood balance, Serotonin is also released into your brain when you're hugged. Too little Serotonin can cause depression. Which is probably why Voldy is forcing it on Draco.
10. Hugging enhances your immune system.
High profile ladies is exposed to a lot of different people on a daily basis. However, all of those big appreciative hugs they get can help their immune system with all of those great hormones mentioned above; they're called immuno-regulatory . They also promote relaxation responses, which helps handle physical and social stresses, therefore boosting your immune system naturally! Thanks, Obama.
So, reach out and hug someone!
They'll love it and you'll benefit from it too. Yay for the amazing human body and hugs.