Everybody should try cuddle therapy!
Regular hugging/cuddling has health benefits. Also, Studies show that found cuddling lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and generally combats stress. There can be deprivation of the human touch. But professional cuddlers have found a way to restore and nurture therapeutic touch.
Some people are going through some traumatic event or some memory that comes up. Cuddle therapy might even be good for them. They can go and realize where they can actually get the healing they need. For some, cuddle therapy can be a way to unplug and heal the soul.
People who hugged for prolonged periods had higher levels of oxytocin. Oxytocin creates feelings of calmness, eases depression, and reduces stress.
Gentle physical touch stimulates “cuddle nerves” that lead to beneficial changes in the brain.
For many of us, the thing we’ve missed most during the pandemic is being able to hug loved ones. Honestly,, it wasn’t until we lost our ability to hug friends and family did many realize just how important touch is for many aspects of our health.
Although it’s important we continue to keep ourselves safe, it’s similarly as important that we don’t give up hugs forever. Social isolation and loneliness are known to increase our chances of premature death and perhaps future research should investigate whether it’s a lack of hugs or social touch that may be driving this.
Touch is an instinct that is all-around beneficial for our mental and physical health—so we should celebrate its return. The reason hugs feel so amazing has to do with our sense of touch. It’s an extremely important sense that allows us not only to physically explore the world around us but also to communicate with others by making and maintaining social bonds.
Of course, not everyone craves a hug. So for those who don’t, there’s no reason to be upset about missing out on the benefits of hugs, as giving yourself a hug has also been shown to regulate emotional processes and reduce stress.