Do you like hugs? Now that may seem like a silly question. I mean, come on – remember when you first went out with that special someone. You were intrigued by their wit. You were dazzled by the sparkle in their eyes. And when the moment came that he or she hugged you, you felt – tingles, warmth, special, cared for – something. It felt good and you most likely looked forward to more hugs.
But for many who have been married for a few years, hugs may not come with the same frequency that they once did. What happened? Busy schedules, different priorities, or perhaps relational strife?
A recent study out of Carnegie Mellon University examined the science of hugs (I’ll bet you never thought of hugs in terms of science before). What they discovered shouldn’t be too surprising. Hugs were associated with lower blood pressure and reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol. People who experienced frequent hugs seemed to be protected from a higher risk of getting sick when under stress.
So, what is the correlation of all of this for you? Simply put – give and receive more hugs from your partner and you may experience less sickness and stress. Now I am well aware that if you are at odds or in conflict with your spouse this may be difficult and will require other work on your relationship. But for many, the lack of hugs aren’t necessarily as a result of conflict as much as they are just having forgotten how important they are and how much you enjoy them.
Therefore, a simple tip this week – hug your spouse, then repeat, repeat, repeat . . . . .