The warmth and power of a Hug

A few weeks ago I came across an interesting article about a small airport in New Zealand that has just passed a law meant to solve congestion and make traffic move faster. They set a limit to 3 minutes tops to give a hug to someone who is jetting off and the claim goes that it takes less than that, just 20 seconds, to release enough serotonin and oxytocin, the happy hormones, as the CEO of the airport assured in a statement against critics.

Aside from the interesting story, hugging has a scientifically proven effect on our mood. In fact, provided that it’s genuine, it makes us feel connected and safe. The slow touch, the one that is gentle and offers us warmth, triggers the C tactile afferents, a type of nerve receptors present on mammals’ skin that respond to light touch in a slow manner. 

At a physiological level a hug releases oxytocin, a hormone which fosters that feeling of love, safety and trust, but also lowers stress, anxiety and alleviates trauma, but also endorphins, boosting mood and a sense of happiness, while also increasing self-worth. A cascade of serotonin and dopamine further contribute to that sense of happiness and well-being, but also a sense of attachment and empathy lowering the feeling of loneliness. This simple gesture is so powerful that it can even lower blood pressure, promote cardiovascular health and boost the immune system. 

Hugging a person, a pet or even a teddy bear can trigger happiness.

Aside from its physiological and physiological benefits it is a form of non-verbal communication that can express even more than words can, establishing a deep sense of connection. Isolation can lead to all sorts of mental health issues that a simple hug might be able to prevent. It doesn’t have to be necessarily a person, in fact hugging a pet or even an inanimate object like a teddy bear can help relieve anxiety symptoms.

In conclusion, while creating congestion at the airport might not be optimal for traffic, don’t underestimate the power of a simple gesture and its ripple benefits on all facets of human life beyond the single individual who gets that precious hug.

Try it and let us know how you feel!