Did You Know That Hugs Are Good For Your Health?

hugs are good for your health

By Jackie Pilossoph, Founder, Divorced Girl Smiling, the place to find trusted, vetted divorce professionals, a podcast, website and mobile app.

If you are thinking about divorce, chances are you are feeling pretty lonely. If you are going through a divorce, you are probably feeling scared and lonely. And if you are dating after a divorce, who knows what you are feeling! Dating after divorce can be really fun, but it can also feel hopeless and lonely at times, like Mr. Right is never going to surface. There’s one thing that is sure to help with loneliness, and that is a hug. In this week’s Love Essentially, I interviewed a LCPC about the importance of hugs on a regular basis, and found out that hugs don’t just feel good, but hugs are good for your health, too!

Six Reasons You Need Hugs On A Regular Basis

by Jackie Pilossoph for Chicago Tribune Media Group

Ever have one of those days when life seems really hard? Maybe your boyfriend just broke up with you — again. Perhaps you recently found out a friend is ill. Or maybe you opened your credit card statement and your jaw just hit the ground. Perhaps you’re feeling lonely in your marriage, or your child is having problems at school and you feel helpless. Or maybe you have a chronic physical condition that feels exhausting.

 

 

Whatever challenges, pain and anxiety life brings (which can intensify during the holiday season), there is one thing guaranteed to help: a hug.

It might seem trivial, or like a temporary fix, but I’m telling you, a hug is a powerful thing. A hug is a magical feel-good drug that can foster a connection, soothe pain, relieve stress, improve emotional and physical health, and make people happier. If you don’t believe me, there are studies that prove it.

Charlotte Bishop is a Chicago-based aging life care manager/geriatric care manager who manages and supports seniors and their families in health care and lifestyle decisions.

Bishop, who has been in business for over 20 years, said that when people get older, they are at a risk for becoming more isolated and having less contact with others, which means fewer hugs. And, fewer hugs can have a negative impact on health and happiness.

 

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“Touch-starved older adults fight health battles that those receiving regular hugs simply do not face,” said Bishop, a licensed clinical professional counselor, who also holds a master’s degree in rehabilitation. “A psychotherapist named Virginia Satir suggests that we need four real hugs a day just to survive, eight hugs a day to maintain our health and 12 or more hugs to grow.”

But not all hugs are equal. (Click here to read the rest of the article, published in the Chicago Tribune, the LA Times, the Pioneer Press, and several other newspapers across the country.)

Like this article? Check out, “The Perfect Kiss: Which one of these defines yours?”

 

 

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    Jackie Pilossoph

    Editor-in-chief: Jackie Pilossoph

    Jackie Pilossoph is the Founder of Divorced Girl Smiling, the media company that connects people facing with divorce to trusted, vetted divorce professionals. Pilossoph is a former NBC affiliate television journalist and Chicago Tribune/Pioneer Press features reporter. Her syndicated column, Love Essentially was published in the Chicago Tribune/Pioneer Press and Tribune owned publications for 7 1/2 years. Pilossoph holds a Masters degree in journalism from Boston University. Learn more at: DivorcedGirlSmiling.com

    17 Responses to “Did You Know That Hugs Are Good For Your Health?”

    1. Neogen

      I do not have any idea that hugs for good your health. You said right life is full of difficulties and in this life, it is very important that you have a best friend who understands your feelings. I think this is the best way to remain healthy and free of stress.

      Reply
    2. omia

      If you are thinking about divorce, chances are you are feeling pretty lonely. If you are going through a divorce, you are probably feeling scared and lonely. And if you are dating after a divorce, who knows what you are feeling! Dating after divorce can be really fun, but it can also feel hopeless and lonely at times, like Mr. Right is never going to surface. There’s one thing that is sure to help with loneliness, and that is a hug. In this week’s Love Essentially, I interviewed a LCPC about the importance of hugs on a regular basis, and found out that hugs don’t just feel good, but hugs are good for your health, too!

      Reply
    3. carry

      If you are going through a divorce, you are probably feeling scared and lonely. And if you are dating after a divorce, who knows what you are feeling! Dating after divorce can be really fun, but it can also feel hopeless and lonely at times, like Mr. Right is never going to surface. There’s one thing that is sure to help with loneliness, and that is a hug. In this week’s Love Essentially, I interviewed a LCPC about the importance of hugs on a regular basis, and found out that hugs don’t just feel good, but hugs are good for your health, too!

      Reply
    4. lisa

      Brain health… sounds crazy to think of right? I am facing the ripe old age of 32 at the end of this month, and I am sure as you know: The older you get, the more you look back on the past year and where you have been. While that isn’t always a bad thing, I have to say this year has been full of changes — and more changes are to come next year. One thing that I loved last year was I was the healthiest I have ever been. This year, while I haven’t been horrible, I have let stress cause some old habits (and some of my old weight) creep up on me. I have some regrets about life, but I need move forward and not let my body or brain health suffer for it. This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of American Heart Association / American Stroke Association for IZEA.

      Reply
    5. lisa

      It?s true that having a strong support system can make a great difference and guarantee progress. It is also fun and inspiring to achieve your health goals with your love ones. Eating healthy together and working out should be a good start.

      Reply
    6. lisa

      Women are an important part of society so the health of the woman also has great importance. Gum diseases are most common in many countries and it is difficult to prevent gum diseases. I want to thanks for the ways that you mention in the article to prevent gum diseases.

      Reply
    7. lisa

      i hate dieting, this look yummy way to start dieting,thank mate you have shown me new way to start healthy life, thank you!

      Reply
    8. lisa

      I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very enjoyable and informative. I’d really like to help appreciate it with the efforts you get with writing this post.

      Reply
    9. lisa

      This can include a wide variety of different habits. Such as spend your time with your loved one, use fresh fruits, increase the use of water and sleep a full night then our mental health remains healthy.

      Reply
    10. lisa

      It?s true that having a strong support system can make a great difference and guarantee progress. It is also fun and inspiring to achieve your health goals with your love ones. Eating healthy together and working out should be a good start.

      Reply
    11. lisaa

      You are doing well by taking care of your children’s gut while they are still very young, paving the way for them to become healthier and happy adults. The gut is often considered the second brain and its good health ensure that most of the diseases are at bay.

      Reply
    12. lisa

      Hi, This was the article that I was reading. Your initiative demands praise. Great stuff! Thanks. Anyways have a great day. Please keep posting your articles consistently.

      Reply
    13. James

      Hello! Thank you for this really informative and interesting article. After Covid-19 was over I really needed a hug because I just Want to be loved and free from all the fear I felt. Sometimes I just want to cry in someone’s shirt because I just want to let my pent-up fear go away from me. Plus the longer the hug the better because it’s healthy. Thank you again, I look forward to your new posts!

      Reply
    14. lisa

      People always talk about mental culture shock when they visit a new place, but your body doesn’t need to experience physical culture shock as well. Take some supplements to try to balance your diet. Make sure you’re getting everything your body needs to stay healthy.

      Reply
    15. Emma Watson

      Following them really makes a difference. I used to be able to get by with less sleep but not any more. I feel awful if I don’t get enough sleep. And drinking plenty of water really helps too.

      Reply
    16. Aice

      One thing that I loved last year was I was the healthiest I have ever been. This year, while I haven’t been horrible, I have let stress cause some old habits (and some of my old weight) creep up on me. I have some regrets about life, but I need move forward and not let my body or brain health suffer for it.

      Reply
    17. Sarah

      This can include a wide variety of different habits. Such as spend your time with your loved one, use fresh fruits, increase the use of water and sleep a full night then our mental health remains healthy.

      Reply

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