By: MICHELLE PARK
Staff Writer
At the end of the year, there was a lot of time for my family to get together. My family members were happy to see each other and hugged each other. The hug made me feel better and it felt like my stresses were relieved. I was curious about the reason, so I looked into why hugging makes me feel good.
Hugging family members, lovers, babies, and even pets makes people feel comfortable and happy. According to researchers, hugging has health benefits, such as improving the immune system. When one hugs someone one loves, the hormone of love, oxytocin, is released and makes one feel good. Oxytocin also boosts the immune system by promoting other hormones that fight against infection.
Oxytocin also lowers blood pressure by reducing the stress hormone cortisol and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce stress and anxiety. When one hugs, not only oxytocin is released, but also dopamine and endorphin hormones, making one feel joy and happiness.
Because of these positive effects, Virginia Satir, who is a family therapist, once said, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth”.