The Healing Power of Hug

By Taiwo Akinola

Hug is a physical embrace of one another in a way of showing pleasantries, calming down a distressed person, showing affection, among others.

People hug in places such as churches, open places, corporate environments, to mention but a few.

According to research, the effect of a hug builds trust, a sense of safety and belonging.

This helps with open and honest communication.

Hugs instantly boosts oxytocin levels, which heals feelings of loneliness, rejection, isolation, and anger.

Medical findings show that holding a hug for an extended time lifts serotonin levels, and also elevates mood.

The psychology behind hugs tells us that, when we hug, our bodies release oxytocin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that increases bonding, social behavior and closeness between humans that have trust for one another.

Hug builds confidence, and also creates unexplainable happiness in human.

Is hugging an opposite sex unacceptable in the society?

A particular thing could have different meanings to different people, however, from this perspective, hugging an opposite sex is not an offense.

It varies, in western countries, to them, hug is a norm, while some countries frown at it, on religious grounds, instead, they shake hands and peg it there.

Therefore, some men love hugging beautiful women, which they feel makes them feel so good emotionally.