Our skin is our security system, our sensations detector and our gateway to the world around us. Touch is the very first sense we develop in the human embryo– less than eight weeks after being conceived, an embryo is barely 2.5 centimetres long and has neither eyes nor ears, but its skin is already highly developed.

“Hugging it out” is often touted as a good way to solve a problem. Of course, hugs can help in many situations, from showing appreciation to beating loneliness and stress at work.

The science behind why touch feels good!

The slow stroking involved in grooming stimulates a particular set of nerves – the afferent c-tactile neurons that are found only in hairy skin and are quite different to the usual nerves that convey information about touch, pain and pressure. These neurons respond only to light and slow stroking. They have a direct route into the brain, where they trigger the release of endorphins. Touch releases special hormones in our bodies and also inhibits stress hormones. Specifically, the right kind of touch can:

1. Increases oxytocin—this hormone is great for our heart and makes us feel connected to the world around us.
2. Drops cortisol—the stress hormone which makes us feel anxious and decreases our cognitive function.
3. Triggers dopamine—the pleasure hormone which makes us feel really, really good.

The Science behind hug

When you see someone you have not been around in a long time, when someone is celebrating exciting news, or when someone is having a hard time, it is normal to give them a hug. It is a gesture that sends a specific message depending on the occasion. It can show people just how much you love them, how sorry you feel, or how much you care about them.

Hugging is an important way for many to express how they are feeling to someone else. If you were to ask someone why they hug or why they like being hugged, they might tell you something along the lines of, “it feels right.” While hugging does tap into your emotions and even elicit an emotional response, there is more science to hugging than you might realize.

Hormones & hugging

There are hormones released when you hug someone that can provide significant health benefits. Skin-to-skin contact can send signals to nerves in the area of the brain that is responsible for managing blood pressure. When you receive a hug, it can lower your blood pressure, helping you feel relaxed.

Hugging also release dopamine which results in people “feeling good” or feeling a sense of reward. Dopamine is responsible for the “highs” people get after exercising, eating your favourite meal, or having sex. Even simply hugging someone in a non-sexual way can release dopamine in your brain and help you feel good.

Physical touch, including hugging, also releases a chemical called oxytocin or what some call “the love hormone.” When people connect physically with someone they love, this hormone is released and helps them feel good. It helps increase bonding, empathy, and positive thinking. Oxytocin can have positive impacts on physical health like fighting infections and boosting your immune system.

Emotions & hugging

In general, hugging can have significant impacts on emotional health as well. The hormones involved can aid in this process as well. People who hug tend to feel a reduction in stress due to feeling loved and more secure. It also is a way people feel connected. Whether it leads to other forms of physical intimacy or not, a simple hug can increase bonding between people.

Hugging can also decrease emotions associated with depression. It can help people fight a sense of fear, isolation, and loneliness. It also can provide a self-esteem boost which aids in fighting symptoms of depression as well.

Importance of hugging your child

The importance of hugging your child cannot be underestimated. Hugging provides many benefits to people, but is particularly important in child development. Benefits of hugging and the science behind hugs

1. Hugs help kids grow smarter
2. Hugs help kids grow

Studies show that hugging can instantly boost the level of oxytocin. When oxytocin is increased, several growth hormones, such as insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) and nerve growth factor (NGF), are increased as well​10​. As a result, the nurturing touch of a hug enhances a child’s growth.

3. Hugs keep kids healthy
4. Hugs stop temper tantrums
5. Hugs build resilience
6. Hugs make happy kids
7. Hugs help child and parents bond

Final thoughts

Hugging has all kinds of benefits. But body autonomy is also important. Teaching kids how to kindly refuse a hug and handle uncomfortable situations is a good lesson for the child, too. Basically, a good hug is the fastest way for you to get oxytocin flowing in your body. Oxytocin, also known as the “love drug”, calms your nervous system and boosts positive emotions. Here’s how a good hug resulting in oxytocin flow affects you.

Dr.Nandhini V. Mohan & Dr Venkataramana Hegde
Veda wellness center
Nisarga Mane Sirsi
Uttarakannada District
Ph: 9597019032/ 9448729434
Email : nisargamane6@gmail.com

The post Hugging as a medicine- the power of touch appeared first on Health Vision.

In the present race of life, we are concerned over the future of our children rather than nurturing them with love. It is not that our love has diminished, but we are unable to express it. Sometimes hugging your child and expressing your affection becomes more crucial than nurturing them with food and other worldly necessities. According to Research, babies with very affectionate and attentive parents grow up to be happier, more resilient, and less anxious adults.

Studies have revealed that children thrive well in environments where they are extended with love consistently from the day of their birth. Studies in neonatal care, says that parental hug has led to the improvement in the weight gain among the pre-matured babies. It is proven that hugging your child has several benefits.

Watch our video: How building an immunity is essential to fight against corona?

It is said to be that a child needs four hugs a day for survival, eight hugs a day for maintenance and twelve hugs a day for growth.  Indeed, the importance and benefits of hugging are boundless as it does wonders, for the cognitive and emotional development of children. One as a parent should not worry about hugging your child excessively. It is the right thing to do!

1. One Hug a day: You need not have a reason to hug your child. You do not have to wait for his exam results, birthday or any other occasion to do so, hug your child in the morning while you wake your child or in the evening when you put them to sleep. It is a nice gesture to extend your love.

2. Hugging for every age: Often, a child is hugged and kissed by parents. A parent may wonder if hugging or kissing is alright when children grow up, but I say, it works wonders and children need it at all ages.

3. Sense of Security:  Children often experience a sense of security by your hugs and feels that they are being loved. These secured and loved feelings in children help them to develop self-confidence and self-esteem as they grow up.  The nurturing touch of a hug helps to establish trust and a sense of safety among children. With this deep sensing of security, children tend to venture new things. It enhances proper communication between a child and a parent.

4. Hugging for proper understanding: When children go through difficult times, a warm embrace can say more than a thousand words of counsel. This non-verbal communication always gives a feeling of you being with the child and never being misunderstood. Children also feel that they are out of such difficult situations and are secured.

5. Expression of Love: Hug or embrace your child in your arms to acknowledge your love without verbally telling that you love them.  A Child will also learn to express its love and develop being expressive as they grow up.

6. Natural Stress Buster: Physical contact such as hugging releases a chemical in our brain called Oxytocin. Oxytocin, which is known as the love hormone, is produced primarily in the hypothalamus of the brain, which helps in reducing depression and anxiety. It is not a wonder that some children like to be hugged all the time. Thus, cuddling and hugging your child helps to face stress and helps children to get away with any pressure or stress they are undergoing.

7. Hugging for disciplining: Hugging plays a vital role in behavior modification among children. While we are disciplining our children when they misbehave, we often use different methods for punishment. However, embracing them could be what we need to start with the discipline process on a positive note, and go further with a firm explanation of what they did wrong.

Children might resist and reject the hug initially, but soon will give in and look forward to a hug, which brings on a feel-good effect. Children are more willing to listen to what we have to say when they feel good, so do encourage them with a hug to reassure them of your love. Then, you might as well explain the effects of such bad behavior, and you will notice a change in their behavior gradually.

Children benefit more from being embraced, and as a parent, it is the best remedy for us to eliminate our frustrations. This can happen when we are dealing with our children while letting them know that our love for them remains unchanged.

Finally, hugging uplifts the spirit of the child as well as the parents. Its function is similar to that of meditation and laughter. It helps a Parent to learn to let go of all negative vibes or feelings and encourage them to go with the flow.

Realize the importance of hugging your child – Enjoy Happy Parenting

Also Read: How to protect Child from Today’s infections?

Dr. Hemamalini Krupakar
Clinical Psychologist / Counselor

The post Embracing Children -Golden rule of Parenting appeared first on Health Vision.