"The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts"

Whether your love language is touch or your preference is to keep your distance from others, everyone needs a hug once in a while. The reason why many shy away from hugs is due to the sense of vulnerability instilled in the recipients. Naturally, not everyone is comfortable with this. But it’s only after not having received a hug for so long that one begins to appreciate the importance of some human contact. I’m sure many people didn’t even realize how touch-starved they were during the pandemic until they were able to hug their loved ones after so long. Not only are hugs a great way to show your appreciation for a person and make them feel acknowledged, but they have also been proven to improve your physical and mental health. Providing hugs to someone produces higher levels of oxytocin (known as the ‘love hormone’) which in turn can reduce blood pressure and cortisol levels (high cortisol levels can lead to rapid weight gain, high blood sugar and mood swings). More ‘feel-good’ hormones such as dopamine and serotonin are also released during the hugging process which create long lasting feelings of contentment and satisfaction in the body. Studies have shown that contact in the form of touch is capable of raising self esteem and decreasing chances of isolation in people. According to healthline, even hugging inanimate objects is able to reduce fears in a person. The benefits reaped from hugging extend to improving a person’s physical and mental health. So let this be a reminder to hug a parent, a sibling, a pet, or even a stuffed animal!