6 Benefits Of Hugging That Will Fascinate You

This post, originally entitled 6 Fascinating Benefits of Hugging, was first published in February 2019 and has been completely updated in May 2022.

This is the beginning of a self-care series, where we will explore and look at new concepts concerning self-care.

We’ve all heard the buzzword – self-care.

And we all have, at least, a basic idea of what that means, right?

We all think:

• Massage
• Hygge
• Reading
• Journaling
• Bubble baths

Those are all great starts to self-care.

Some are things we should do every day anyway.

Others we should definitely invest in more often than we might.

Related article: Elevate Your Mood

But, what I’d like to explore with you are other concepts that are rarely if ever talked about but, I believe, are just as important.

All of these self-care tips are free to do and are easy to add to your daily schedule.

Now, don’t worry about the time that it’ll take.

These tips are not ones that will take up a lot of time, but they will make a huge difference in your day!!!

Side note: Some of these will make a huge difference in someone else’s day too which of course should make you feel good too! 🙂

Did you know that sometimes just taking a moment to do something small or quick will change your whole day around?

Like actually getting dressed, eating a healthy meal, walking a few extra steps, or taking the stairs?

So, doing something that takes a lot of time does not necessarily mean it will have a longer-lasting effect on you and your health.

These quick tips I’ll be sharing are easy to do but they don’t take hardly any time.

You should notice a huge difference in your mood, thoughts, and behaviors pretty quickly!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks! For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

Benefits of Hugging

So let’s dive here:

I’m going to start with a self-care tip that is rarely mentioned and you probably don’t automatically think of it as self-care but is so important!!!

Hugging!

Yup 🙂 You read that correctly hugging.

Dictionary.com’s definition of a hug is: To clasp tightly in the arms, especially with affection, embrace.

There are huge benefits of hugging!

We give hugs for lots of situations, right?

When we’re sad, when we’re celebrating something, when saying hi, and even when saying goodbye.

It’s a very universal gesture, but are you lacking a hug in your life?

Skin Hungry or Touch Deprived?

Have you heard of skin hunger?

Or thought about how touch-deprived you are?

Are you craving physical attention?

Here’s an interesting article I found on the lack of touch in our society.

A hug is like a boomerang – you get it back right away. ~ Bil Keane

It seems like sometimes there’s very little of this going around. Except for maybe new couples and parents with little ones…..little, little ones.

Or maybe it’s just in my life and circle.

I, myself, would consider myself a touchy-feely type of person.

That’s not to say I’m just going around touching people, or in this case hugging everyone I see.

But, if you’re in my circle, you have more than likely gotten several hugs from me in our lifetime of knowing each other.

Yet in my daily life, before my little one came along and now, not counting my little one, there seems to be little hugging going on.

Now, I know, a lot of people aren’t fond of public displays of affection, even a hug but I’m not even talking about in public.

Even in our own homes how much affection are we talking about?

We’re so busy these days going places, doing things, fixing a meal, getting ready to go out, going to bed, and/or worse of all playing a game on our cell phones, computers, TVs, or game consoles to interact with each other let alone give someone a hug.

Do you know something though?

Think back to a hug you got.

Didn’t you feel better afterward?

And/or know that whoever you gave the hug to felt a bit better?

Even if it’s not because someone needs to feel better.

It’s amazing what a little human contact will do for a person.

Benefits of Hugging

Here are just a few benefits of hugging and why self-care is so important:

• Helps relieve stress
• Can lift your mood
• Lowers blood pressure
• Keeps us healthier
• Helps relieve pain
• Raises self-esteem

Related Self Care Post: Deep Breathing

Did you ever realize these?

No, it’s not life-changing, exactly and it’s not going to fix a problem, necessarily, but it certainly isn’t going to hurt anything either!

The little act of giving or receiving a hug is huge to your self-care.

I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words. ~ Ann Hood.

And here’s a crazy thought: Why not give yourself a hug?

Self-compassion is a wonderful thing!

Know why? Because all the items listed above work just as perfectly even when done with yourself!

I know, it’s not really easy to do but there’s nothing wrong with giving yourself some encouragement and strength.

On the flip side, I encourage you to be willing to receive hugs, even if you’re not a hugging type of person.

Again, it’s not going to hurt you and even if you don’t/won’t admit it, it will probably make you feel better.

So I’ve got a challenge for you. Take time this week to give hugs.

When was the last time you hugged someone?

Don’t go crazy, they don’t have to be big hugs unless you want to….and your circle is like that.

Even if it’s just one of those side-shoulder hugs.

It could be just the encouragement or human contact the person needs to get through something that day.

When was the last time you hugged someone? Yourself? Go ahead, we’ll wait 🙂 Then please share with us in the comment below!!! 🙂