Thursday January 21 is World Hugs Day. But in 2021, this day will have a different flavor since with the physical distancing imposed by the epidemic, it has been a long time since tender gestures are no longer part of our daily life.
In a normal year, this January 21, some people would certainly have distributed free hugs in the street. This phenomenon of free hugs would have been initiated by an American pastor, indicates West France. The latter suggested to his followers, depressed at the start of the year stuck between the holidays and Valentine’s Day, to hug each other.
Yes a hug is good, and there is an explanation for that: while cuddling, we release oxytocin, the attachment hormone. This generates calm and well-being, with all that this has health benefits since it is the antagonist hormone cortisol, the one that induces stress. To sum up: oxytocin has anti-stress properties, favorable to cardiovascular health and capable of stimulating the immune system.
So the hug is good for physical health, but also for mental health. It takes us back to our young years, when we were cradled warm in the arms of our parents, a sort of bubble of security, essential for building ourselves. The hug is then a bulwark against fear, sorrows and ailments. But the hug is also a matter of tenderness. Depending on who you give it to or who you receive it from, it can mean a lot of different things: love, affection, friendship, support. Either way, the momentum is always positive and benevolent.
Compensate for lack of oxytocin with comforting activities
Unfortunately, for a year we have been deprived of hugs because of the health situation, and therefore deprived of all these positive effects on the body and the heart. Indeed, less hugging means less oxytocins and therefore more difficulty regulating stress. No non-verbal communication in times of distress, where words are not enough.
Céline Rivière, psychologist and author of the book Calinotherapy, published by Michalon, demonstrates the importance of hugs. She says that many patients are distraught in consultation because they no longer feel connected to others. So, until we can cuddle again, Céline Rivière advises to focus on anything that can be joyful and warm.
We can then watch love or funny movies, videos of babies and cats that soothe, listen to music that makes you want to move, pamper yourself by wearing soft clothes or treat ourselves to what makes us feel good, such as a hot bath, for example. Since we are less distracted by going out, the specialist suggests putting the light back on oneself, to offer something positive, to listen to his needs as one would listen to those of a baby.
