Hug It Out!
Shape Singapore|June 2017

Go ahead and cuddle. Science approves.

Balvinder Sandhu
Hug It Out!

“The simplest and most powerful way to connect with a loved one is through the power of touch,” says Jolene Hwee, director and counselling psychologist at Womancare Psychological Services, who also supervised couples in the Prudential Relationship Reconnect social experiment.

“Hugs can instantly boost oxytocin levels, which can alleviate feelings of loneliness and anger. Holding a hug for an extended time lifts serotonin levels, elevating overall mood. The nurturing touch of a hug builds trust, and this can facilitate open and honest communication.”

Go ahead and give your loved one a big hug today. As Virginia Satir, a respected family therapist, says: “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” Here are seven other ways hugs are good for you.

1 IMPROVES BONDING

This story is from the June 2017 edition of Shape Singapore.

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This story is from the June 2017 edition of Shape Singapore.

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