Health Benefits of Cuddling.

It’s no secret that cuddling makes you feel good when you’re in a new or established relationship. It’s also something that you miss greatly when you’re single. But did you know there’s actually a scientific reason for that? It’s true! There are many surprising health benefits of cuddling so read on, and you may want to cuddle someone right now.

When you spend quite a bit of time cuddling someone, you may feel the health benefits as it deeply nourishes your Mind, your Body, your Spirit and your Soul.

1. Cuddling Releases Oxytocin.

Oxytocin is a hormone that does everything from making you feel good to helping you feel connected to others. Oxytocin is crucial in the act of cuddling, as you’ll see from its benefits popping up in the list below. 

2. Cuddling Boosts Your Immune System.

When you’re so in love you feel invincible, you’re experiencing oxytocin release. This feel-good hormone makes you feel like nothing can hurt you—which is an amazing benefit! It also increases hormones that help fight infection. So, basically, you’re boosting your immune system because you’re feeling too good and healthy to get sick. The power of positive thinking and feeling loved and secure actually works! Hugging increases the amount of natural killer cells your body produces. These cells are responsible for fighting off infections and warding off viruses.

3. Cuddling Relieves Pain.

Just as it boosts your immune system, cuddling and releasing oxytocin will decrease your pain levels. Whenever your neck hurts, what do you do? Rub it, right? Even simple touches like that release enough oxytocin to make you feel better, so imagine the effect cuddling has!

4. Cuddling Helps Deepen Your Relationships.

Communication is important in relationships, but people often forget how effective and meaningful touch can be. When your career is so stressful you come home and can’t stop thinking about the job, you’re taking a negative toll on your relationship. Instead, imagine coming home and cuddling with your partner for even ten minutes a day. This brief break from the stress of everyday life will not only give you all the other benefits listed here, but will also deepen your relationship. You’ll be taking time to focus solely on your partner and what you feel for them.

5. Cuddling Helps Women Bond.

Have you heard the term “oxytocin” in relation to childbirth and breastfeeding? It’s because this chemical doesn’t just inspire good feelings between couples, it also works for women and their babies. Oxytocin helps relax the mother, so that breastfeeding may come more easily. It also enables sleep, even when the mother might have difficulty sleeping with a newborn in the house.

6. Cuddling Reduces Social Anxiety.

Oxytocin inspires positive thinking. It helps you have an optimistic outlook on the world. Which means when you get a hug right as you arrive at the party where you only know one person, you’re going to feel happier and more social going in. You’ll feel like you can charm everyone at the party. And with oxytocin coursing through your system, you will!

7. Cuddling Reduces Stress.

It’s obvious by now, right? Oxytocin is an amazing natural hormone that has so many benefits for the human body. It’s only natural that all these positive effects are going to release stress, also. You’re feeling more connected with your partner, you’re feeling confident in social situations, your immune system is stronger—what do you have to be stressed about? You have a great, cuddle-filled, loving life. Enjoy it!

8. Cuddling Lowers Your Risk of Heart Disease.

Yup—oxytocin again! All the benefits listed above add together to mean less stress, less anxiety, lower blood pressure and—you got it—a lower risk of heart disease! Because your heart is happier and not working as hard to combat the effects of stress and sickness, you’ll be healthier, longer.

9. Cuddling Lowers Blood Pressure.

When people hug, pressure sensors in your skin are activated. These sensors send signals to the brain which are responsible for reducing your blood pressure. Therefore, cuddling promotes heart health.

10. Cuddling May Improve Digestive Health.

The more often we cuddle, the more serotonin we produce, and the more serotonin we produce, the better our ability is to digest and process food. When released into the bloodstream, serotonin conveys a strong message throughout the body, especially in the gut. As serotonin stores in the gut, it significantly affects digestive functioning, hunger and feeling full. This is why we may enjoy food and eating and feeling depressed, we may loose our appetite.

11. Cuddling Balances Your Nervous System.

Small pressure centres in your skin are activated with hugs and touch. These nerve centres communicate with the rest of your nervous system, specifically the parasympathetic system. This part of your nervous system is responsible for all your basic bodily functions. Therefore, human touch helps to balance out your body systems such as digestion and overall body responses.

12. Cuddling Lowers Pain Levels.

Hugging releases serotonin, which is the chemical responsible for lowering pain levels. This would explain why people seek out a long hug from someone when they’re in emotional or physical pain. Hugs also cause your body to release your body to release muscle tension. If you have pain from sore muscles, then hugging is a great way to relax your muscles and relieve pain.

Natural Feel Good Chemicals.

Dopamine The chemical in your brain that makes you feel and do happy things… whatever they may be.

Serotonin Is an important chemical neurotransmitter in the human body. It is commonly regarded as a chemical that is responsible for maintaining mood balance.

Oxytocin Hormone released in the brain that makes humans feel happy. Also known as the love hormone. The cuddle Hormone.

Endorphin Your body’s natural pain reliever released when stress or pain levels are high, or after an orgasm.

So there are lots of health benefits and lots of reasons to have some cuddle therapy.

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