Hugging can have incredible benefits on our physical, emotional and mental health. Studies have even shown that giving and receiving a minimum of five hugs a day can reduce the risk of viral respiratory illness by 30%. In this episode, Jen shares how hugs can boost our innate immunity, restore our mental health and bring greater happiness.
Did you enjoy the podcast today? Please let me know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Every month I draw one lucky reviewer to have a free one-hour consultation with me. Also, remember to subscribe wherever you’re tuning in from so that you always catch the next episode.
SHOWNOTES
I’m a hugger. Recently I had my 60th birthday and it was so great to give hugs and be hugged!
This last year, has been a year of seclusion, due to this pandemic and we need to recover community and immunity through hugs.
Studies have shown more than five hugs a day reduces the risk of viral respiratory illness by more than 30%. It’s time to be with one another again. Why? Our health depends on it.
Initially a hug gives us a dopamine surge directly to the brain – the feel-good hormone. we get the same rush we experience from the fat-salt-sugar combination of comfort food. But the difference is, hugs are good for us. 15-30 seconds into a hug, we experience a massive serotonin dopamine download – the happiness hormone.
So, we get a rush of joy and love that surge throughout the body. But a hug not only positively affects your mood and relationship, it also boosts your innate immunity.
What’s innate immunity?
The innate immune system is essentially made up of barriers that aim to keep viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other foreign nasties out of your body or limit their ability to spread and move throughout the body. It keeps you in healthy relationship to the 10 million different viruses in your blood stream.
The sad reality is that while the isolation of this pandemic is designed to protect us, it’s also taxing our immune system. The more people are isolated the more they become even more isolated and our mental, physical, and immune health diminish.
It’s never been more important to share a hug to support our physical and mental health.
What’s the solution?
Hug a human! If no human contact is possible, hug a pet, get a body pillow to hug or connect with humans online.
Healthy Life Hacks
So, the healthy life hack I want to leave you with today is: :
- Find your way to hug every day.
Did you enjoy the podcast today? Please let me know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Every month I draw one lucky reviewer to have a free one-hour consultation with me. Also, remember to subscribe wherever you’re tuning in from so that you always catch the next episode.
Are you looking for more great resources? Get a free copy of my Feed Your Body ebook here and be sure to explore my blog while you are there.
