There’s really nothing like the power of a big supportive hug. The body reads a sense of caring in the human touch. When we’re hugged we sense that on a deep level, we are not alone. In some ways it’s a shame that in our relationships with healing professionals hugging is often advised against. There are so many wonderful stories where hugging has been a healing modality.
The Science and Practice of a HugIn one study published in Nature Communications, researchers injected the hormone Oxytocin in older mice with muscle damage. After nine days, the older mice healed faster than the younger, more strapping, mice. These older mice could repair muscle damage up to 80 percent better than the younger mice.
There is real biological power in the simple act of a hug. It can melt away the stress from a day. It can lend itself to repairing emotional wounds.
A hug has the power to release Oxytocin, which sets us up to feel more balanced and soothed the moment we do it. It can strengthen relationships and lend itself toward forgiveness. If you give a hug to another person until both bodies relax, it also…
