A cuddle with a new sweetie not only boasts emotional benefits—after all, we know touching and hugging increases our feelings of comfort, safety, human bond, self-esteem, as well as improving mood. However, it turns out that research shows that cuddling also has it’s share of physical benefits as well.
1. Cuddling Strengthens Communication: Cuddling is a powerful communication tool between partners because it improves intimacy in a non-erotic manner while strengthening feelings of connection, understanding, and empathy between partners. Holding your partner close conveys, “I understand how you feel” and “you’re not alone” without the need for words.
2. Hugging Decreases Cortisol Production: You know what happens when your anxiety levels spike — your temperature rises, your heart pounds, and you have the undeniable urge to flee! This reaction is thanks to spiking cortisol levels (your fight or flight response). Researchers monitored the stress levels of a group who were to deliver impromptu speeches in front of a group of strangers. While their cortisol levels understandably spiked, the research showed that those who got hugs right after their stressful speeches experienced drastically reduced cortisol levels within the hour vs. those who got no cuddles.
3. Hugs Strengthen Immune Health: There’s a really good reason why we fall sick when we’re stressed out—increased cortisol production weakens immunity, leaving us vulnerable to all sorts of cold and flu viruses. Individuals who get frequent hugs, even during extreme times of stress, fall sick far less often. A study featured in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that even when the cuddle-prone become sick—they tend to be ill for shorter periods with milder symptoms.
4. Frequent Hugs Lower Blood Pressure: Hugging not only feels great — it lowers blood pressure! A study conducted by the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina found that frequent hugs raises oxytocin levels and decreases blood pressure and heart rate considerably. Hugs heighten oxytocin levels, a behavior- and physiological-influencing hormone that is often called the “bonding hormone,” and has a recognized role in positive behaviors—such as partner bonding, orgasm, social bonding, and maternal behavior.
5. Cuddling Fortifies Relationship Bonds: When psychologists at England’s University of Hertfordshire asked couples to identify their favorite sleeping positions, it should be no surprise most found spooning or touching during sleep was preferred. This just solidifies that frequent touch is noted as vital between long-term committed couples. Couples who slept touching revealed deeper feelings of fulfillment and satisfaction—while those who didn’t physically touch while sleeping remained vastly unsatisfied in their relationships.
6. Hugs Enhance Sexual Intimacy: There’s no wham-bam, thank-you about it — couples who cuddle before, during, and following intercourse are far more satisfied with their sex lives than couples who lack this essential non-verbal bonding time. According to a study entitled “Post Sex Affectionate Exchanges Promote Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction,” which was published in the journal, Archives of Sexual Behaviour, pairs who took the time to spoon, kiss, canoodle, and cuddle after sex remained happier overall with their committed relationships, and characterized their level of sexual intimacy stronger for it.
7. Touch Lessens Fear and Vulnerability: Feeling a little scared? No matter how old we are sometimes we just need a comforting hug or a hand to hold. Psychologists at the University of Virginia measured anxiety levels of married women in the face of fear (delivered via an expected electric shock). The study monitored the women as they were subjected to the threat of electric shock while holding the hand of a stranger, their husband’s hand, or no hand. Findings revealed that when the female test subjects held hands with someone they knew (i.e., their husband’s hand) their fear lessened as soon as they held hands, less so with with an unknown hand holder, and not at all when they received no hand to hold.so... no need to just take my word for it... lets Cuddle !!
