(Image source from: indiatimes.com)

There is nothing comforting as a hug from the right person and it’s free from doubt that a hug can set a lot of things right. This Valentine Week has so many special days aligned for us and on 12th February every year, two days before Valentine’s Day, we celebrate Hug Day.

A hug or a cuddle is the purest and warmest expression of love. A warm hug likewise has other benefits than bringing two people together. From letting down stress to boosting positivity, here are five reasons why you should hug it out!

Boost the Immune System

A study has claims that a 10-second long hug a day is powerful enough to combat infections, boost your immune system, ease depression and lessen fatigue. Dr Mercola explains that hugs are the “Holy Grail” of touch that has the power to heal and prepare the body to fight harmful viruses.

Lower Stress Levels and Blood Pressure

Hugging increases levels of oxytocin also known as the “love or trust hormone”, which is advantageous for reducing stress levels. It also keeps heart health in perfect condition.

According to studies, it has been found that a hug of 20 seconds along with 10 minutes of hand-holding has the immense power of lessening the negative thoughts and harmful physical effects of stress.

Elevate Your Mood and Relaxes the Body

It is a no-brainer how much of goodness hugging fills you with. Bury your face in his chest, wrap around your arms around as he does around your wait. Hear your partner’s heartbeat as his chin touches your head. Hugging seems to be a solution to all our life problems.

Beat Anxiety

Maintaining a ideal work-life balance has turned out to be a boring task among couples, and it is important for them to understand the power of hugs. Give each other a hug before leaving for work and again upon return. It is time to see the difference a simple hug can bring in your stressful lives.

Carnegie Mellon psychologist Sheldon Cohen in the study found that hugs can lower anxiety and act as a stress-reliever.

Help you Bond and Trust

However naive it may appear at first but try hugging that person. Yes, of course, one does not hug someone if they do not have trust for each other. Well, it is for these moments when a simple act of wrapping your arms around will help you form a bond. It also helps in better understanding as well as resolves trust issues.

American author and psychotherapist Virginia Satir had famously once said, "We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth."

In the fast-paced world, we will need small actions to keep going our mental health. Amid the scary high levels of stress at work or in personal lives, it is much crucial to understand the power of simple acts, which will sooner or later be the reason for our happiness.

-Sowmya Sangam