We must take the time to show affection to our loved ones, since it brings many benefits to our health.

In the world there are different ways to tell other people that we love them, but the hug is universal and significant, since it gives us security and makes the body calm and well-being. Antonella Galli, a psychologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma, talked with Bienestar of El Comercio newspaper about the benefits of giving a hug to the people we love.

“Hugging secretes many hormones in our body, such as serotonin or oxytocin. It makes sense to give security, to welcome the person, to give them that space where the body can enter into calm, restlessness, well-being ”, explains Galli.

However, some people do not like hugs, because, according to the specialist, they have not received many as children and are not used to it.

“In the case of children, when you see them restless or incoherent, you have to hug them, because it does them good to know that there will always be protection. In adults and the elderly, even if they deny it, you have to hug them, because it improves their immune system; if they don’t like it, you can opt for other ways, either kisses or caresses held on the skin,” she says.

5 benefits of hugging the ones we love

Antonella Galli mentions some health benefits of hugging someone we love:

1. Several hormones are activated: When we hug someone, oxytocin is present and it is what causes stress to decrease, because the cortisol hormone, which measures stress, decreases, and dopamine is also activated, which gives us the feeling of well-being and energy, and finally, serotonin, which makes us feel in a good mood.
2. Helps the immune system: Studies show that people who get more hugs have better immune systems.
3. Helps lower heart rate: Sustained hugs lower blood pressure, heart rate, especially in people who suffer from panic attacks.
4. It give us security: The hug is related to this sensation contrary to danger, when there is danger, the nervous system is activated, but with a hug we are taking ourselves to a situation of protection.
5. Cover our need for affection: People naturally need affection and hugs with people we love help us cover that need for affection.

Dr. Antonella Galli
Psychologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma

Source: elcomercio.pe