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This is interesting since we are working on Psychic First Aid. Keep On TROMing Pete McLaughlin > How Hugs Heal - Have You Had a Hug Today? > > > How Hugs Heal - Have You Had a Hug Today? > Deprivation can lead to developmental delays while hugs may reduce > depression, improve your heart health and tri... > > > By Dr. Mercola > From the time you were born until the day you die, touch is an important part > of your emotional and physical health. Infants deprived of touch grow up with > developmental and cognitive delays, attachment disorders and higher risk of > serious infections.1 On the other hand, premature infants who are held > skin-to-skin exhibit better cognitive skills, are more resilient to stress > and have more organized sleep patterns, even 10 years later.2 > These early touch-based interventions demonstrate the need for touch in > psychological regulation. The benefits of touch don’t diminish with age. The > late Virginia Satir, psychotherapist and generally acknowledged as a pioneer > in family therapy,3 spoke about the importance of touch and hugs as it > relates to a person’s emotional health, saying:4 > “We need [four] hugs a day for survival. We need [eight] hugs a day for > maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” > This may represent the minimum and optimum thresholds to generate sufficient > oxytocin, a hormone released by your pituitary gland in response to physical > touch. The simple act of hugging may not only increase your bond with others, > but may also boost your physical and emotional health. > The Importance of Touch > > In the absence of touch, children become almost unrecognizable, developing > personality disorders and other conditions that make it difficult for them to > live in society.5 Historical reports of children who grew up “feral,” or in > the wild without the benefit of touch, show they often have difficulty > assimilating into a group. > Touch is the primary language to communicate compassion and is fundamental to > communication, bonding and health.6 It supports the immune system, reduces > stress, encourages sleep and has no side effects. It doesn’t drain your > batteries, but recharges you instead. > Western cultures often experience a deficiency in touch. Before he passed in > 1974, psychologist Sidney Jourard completed a study in which he measured > touch between friends in the U.S., England, France and Puerto Rico.7 In > England, people didn’t touch at all. In the U.S. friends touched up to two > times an hour. > This is in deep contrast to friends in France who touched up to 110 times in > an hour, or in Puerto Rico where they touched up to 180 times in an > hour.__,_._,___
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