Are you thriving or barely surviving?
- Inviato il
Are you thriving or barely surviving?
Go out and hug someone today...
Today is National Hugging Day!
Did you know that you need four hugs a day to survive?! Yes, you read that right, to just simply survive, you need at least four hugs a day. When I discovered this fact a few years ago, I was on a mission to hug the world (you can read about that journey in my second book, mind.body.soul.). I know we have been told not to touch or hug for several years now, but I believe that has done more damage to us as a human race than anything else. And so, in honor of National Hugging Day, I implore you to get out there and hug some people! Wear your masks if you must, but please, start feeding your soul (and body) once again. And remember, four hugs is just to merely survive. You need eight hugs a day to maintain, and twelve hugs a day to grow.
Why are hugs so powerful?
Hugs release oxytocin, Mother Nature's ultimate bonding agent. It is often called the “love hormone” and is released during hugs which creates a stronger connection between the two recipients. Oxytocin has been shown to boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, calm the nervous system, therefore reducing stress, which increases happiness. It is the reason why being hugged feels so good. And, according to the latest research, it could even stimulate wound healing and muscle health. So when you're feeling down, give someone a squeeze and feel your mood lift. Another cool thing about giving a hug is that you can't give one without getting one in return. This simple act could change our lives and our health for good.
What happens when you don't get hugs?
When you don't get enough physical touch, you can become stressed, anxious, or depressed. This condition is called touch deprivation, touch starvation, or skin hunger. As a response to stress, your body makes a hormone called cortisol. This can cause your heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, and breathing rate to go up, with bad effects for your immune and digestive systems. These things can lead to worse quality of sleep and a higher risk of infections, and other medical conditions, including diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure. Long-term touch starvation could even trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Why is touch important?
Human touch is a monumental part or how we interact with others. Shaking hands, holding hands, high-fiving, hugging, kissing, petting, stroking, tickling, and having sex are all ways in which we communicate. We bond through physical touch. It's no wonder that our skin is the largest organ of our bodies. We were designed to be touched! This reaction begins at birth and is also how empathy is formed. This human-to-human interaction keeps up throughout our lives. Going without human contact for too long can literally break your heart. People who didn't have any regular human contact were also more likely to be hospitalized, made more frequent visits to their doctors, and were more likely to be rushed to the emergency room than others.
Intimate Conversations with Lady Kendra
Need help navigating this wacky world in which we live? I am here to help! No matter what you are going through, there is a solution to the problem. If you're ready to make a commitment to yourself and touch your soul in a way like never before, please consider scheduling a session with me. I'll be tackling these and other topics in my speaking engagements in public and online. Stay tuned for more...
Find yourself.
www.ladykendra.com
https://calendly.com/kendramichelleleonard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuCPNTk4iUA