I have so many amazing takeaways from the recent episode of Brene Brown’s Unlocking Us podcast where she has both Emily and Amelia Nagoski on to discuss Burnout and How To Complete the Stress Cycle. 🔓🔥
I can not recommend it enough (PS – Brene Brown’s brand new podcast, Daring to Lead, launched yesterday — I can not get enough of this woman!) 🦸🏼♀️
For some reason when they were talking about the power of hugging, it was as if I had never heard it before. 🤷🏻♀️
That led me to reading an article on Healthline “What Are the Benefits of Hugging?” 🤗
- Hugs reduce stress by showing your support
- Hugs may protect you against illness
- Hugs may boost your heart health
- Hugs can make you happier
- Hugs help reduce your fears
- Hugs may help reduce your pain
- Hugs help you communicate with others
Of course, the article details scientific evidence to back each of these, and I highly suggest you check it out!
What blew me away, was a quote from family therapist Virginia Satir who said, ““We need four hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” 😮
The article was written in 2018 and notes that, “most Western people today — especially people in the United States — are touch-deprived. Many people live solitary or busy lives with reduced social interaction and touching.” 💯
WOW. This could not be more true to what so many people have encountered over the past 6 months or so. 🏡🔒
It got me thinking about how many hugs (and general contact) that I have with this little guy. While I may be lacking in the sleep department over the past two and half years (with no end in sight), my oxytocin levels sure must be surging. 💞
Northern Produced, Southern Seduced. 