Not that we need National Hugging Day to motivate us, but we’ve found five reasons that back the benefits of hugging the people you care about. So, get to it.

There are many ways to describe a hug. From an enthusiastic squeeze to a warm embrace, or a romantic cuddle to a maternal cradle, the way we hug each other says a lot about who we are and the moment at hand. In addition to our style of holding someone close, there are also many benefits of hugging, making the act of body-to-body contact even more rewarding than you may think.

National Hugging Day is an annual event dedicated to, you guessed it, hugging. Created by  Kevin Zaborney, it has become a recurring event that takes place every year on January 21. Although it was first celebrated in 1986 in Clio, Michigan, it has since become a holiday that’s observed in several other countries around the world. Originally thinking his idea would fail, Zaborney proposed the holiday anyway, and chose the date January 21 because it fell during a time when “people are generally low in spirits” (after the Christmas holiday, but before Valentine’s Day). Zaborney’s motive stemmed from the idea that “American society is embarrassed to show feelings in public.” Now, some twenty years later, the holiday surrounding the power of an embrace is still holding strong.

In an effort to encourage more hugs (within each party’s comfort zone, of course) and celebrate National Hugging Day on January 21, 2017, we’ve dedicated an entire post to exploring the many benefits of hugging. From lifting your spirits and combatting depression to creating a sense of emotional freedom from the trappings of culture and the virtual wall created by social media, we’ve given you not one, but five different reasons that back the benefits of hugging.

1. Hugs Are Uplifting 

You can’t see it, but hugs actually work from the inside-out. The act of hugging another person causes our brains to release the hormone oxytocin, making us feel closer and more connected to one another. Some studies also show that serotonin and dopamine are released, leading to even greater feel-good emotions.

2. Hugs Improve Health and Stress

Stress and health are deeply intertwined, so when we’re feeling stressed our immune system is often lowered and we become more susceptible to getting sick, increasing inflammation throughout our bodies, and a host of other triggers. Fortunately, engaging in a hug lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Studies have shown that patients with arthritis, breast cancer, and women in labor all benefit from touch. Additionally, hugging can also reduce your risk of catching stress-induced colds, leading to better overall health and mental function.

3. Hugs Help Babies (and the Elderly)

People young and old are thought to especially benefit from hugging and physical touch. When you hug babies and young children often throughout early development, it helps them cope with immediate stressors and is believed to better prepare them to cope with stress as adults. And when it comes to adults, the older you are the more important hugs become. Loneliness and fragility all warrant lots of hugs from caring people for the aging population.

4. Hugs Aid Communication

Whether it’s a death, a major life event, or even something worth celebrating, sometimes the words just aren’t there. Fortunately, there’s nonverbal communication. When you can’t think of the appropriate thing to say, or wish to reinforce your words, there’s nothing quite like a hug to seal the deal.

5. Hugs Provide Freedom

Some cultures and individual family units don’t hug regularly. In addition to the act of physical touch feeling foreign or not being a necessity in life, this leads to a longing for intellectual growth and freedom. By stepping outside of our comfort zones, the act of hugging can make us more open in terms of showing affection, expressing feelings, and happier overall.  

Don’t have anyone to hug? Averse to human contact because of anxiety or other reasons? You don’t have to feel left out. Reach for your furry friends. Studies show that cuddling and stroking pets have many of the same benefits as human contact. And remember, you may have the best intentions on National Hugging Day, but consent is always important before embracing strangers, friends, and those who may not feel comfortable being touched. Make sure the benefits of hugging are truly benefiting all parties involved.

Share your thoughts with us on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

Related on EcoSalon

6 New Year’s Resolutions Better for You and the Planet
The Shocking Attribute that Most Influences Eco-Friendly Behavior
Donate, Toss, or Repurpose Leather and Fur: The Herbivore’s Dilemma

The post 5 Benefits of Hugging (National Hugging Day is January 21st!) appeared first on EcoSalon.

Having trouble with anxiety or insomnia? Try ASMR, the Big O for your head.

ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is a pleasurable sensation, typically in the head or scalp, sometimes moving down the spine and arms, in response to visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, or cognitive stimuli.

Otherwise known as “head orgams.”

Yes, you read that right. This sensory trend has people watching videos of woman tapping on wooden surfaces, running fingertips over brush bristles, and whispering soothing words. The reported tingling sensation is not only said to feel great, but many feel it has helped them with anxiety and insomnia.

I know what you are thinking. Porn incognito. ASMR creators and devotees are quick to point out that, while sensual, these videos are geared toward the desire for affection and caring rather than lust.

At first glance (okay, after several glances) these videos seem mind numbingly boring. But maybe that is what ASMR seekers are after, in a way. While many use these videos as a form of connection and being comforted by another human, the fact that they are rather monotonous would surely help to induce calmness and sleep.

After viewing several different ASMR vids on everything from role play (bubble gum chewing barber?) to magazine page flipping, I admittedly could not wait to turn them off. None that I watched were offensive or inappropriate, more just … pointless. And long. Most ASMR videos are between 20 and 30 whispery, smacky minutes.

But perhaps I was missing the point. ASMR has been compared to Magic Eye 3-D Images. You know those visual puzzles containing a hidden image that you can’t see until you can? Maybe the sensory effects aren’t experienced until they are, then there is no turning back.

If you are confused, no worries. Explaining this whole ASMR thing is like describing a sunset, it has to be seen to get a clear grasp. Following are a couple of ASMR videos that will give you an idea of what this whole thing looks like.

Now you get the picture. Well, sort of. Did either of these videos do anything for you? Make you feel more sedate, drowsy, tingly? Annoyed, bored, weirded out? Not everyone likes yoga, massage, or meditation. Same for ASMR. This practice may not be for everyone.

For those who do partake in a big way, the calming benefits and euphoric feelings keep them coming back. ASMR video creators take the ritual very seriously. YouTube sensation, Maria (pictured in the videos above), uses high tech microphones to capture every tiny swish, whisper, and tap. This does make a huge difference. ASMRers who use regular equipment are so hushed you have to turn your volume way up to get beyond lip synch status. And Maria has quite the fan following, almost 100 million women and men tune in regularly to get their tingle on.

Or, as Maria puts it, “showers of sparkles.”

Related on EcoSalon

Have an Orgasm a Day Because It Keeps the Doctor Away: Sexual Healing

The Undeniable Benefits of Orgasm – Revisiting the #30DayOrgasmChallenge: Sexual Healing

Danielle LaPorte on Overcoming Anxiety

Image of happy woman with hair flying via Shutterstock

The post ASMR: ‘Head Orgasms’ for Anxiety Relief and Better Sleep appeared first on EcoSalon.