Hugs 4 Health

Back when we were raising our own little guys and gals there was this popular children’s singer named Charlotte Diamond. One of her songs was all about the importance of hugs. We all liked the song — catchy tune, good lyrics, easy to learn. Her premise was that 4 hugs a day was the minimum (NOT the maximum) for health and well-being.

Charlotte crooned that we needed to share those hugs with everyone and cautioned us “Don’t forget your mama and papa, grandma and grandpa and all your friends, too.”  She even gave instructions on how to do it: “Step one – look them right in the eye; Step two, nose-to-nose”. The kids loved to practice at home with friends and relatives alike.

At the time, it seemed like a harmless little ditty that was fun to sing along with in the car as we zipped around town doing our various errands and activities. Nothing earth shattering about the message. Cute, yes. Sweet, yes. A prescription for health, no.

But it seems that Ms. Diamond was onto something! Believe it or not, research from The University of North Carolina has shown that a 20-second hug raises the oxytocin levels in both males and females. Oxytocin is known as the “cuddle-hormone” and facilitates bonding as well as a sense of trust and well-being. It also lowers the stress hormone cortisol in women and lowers blood pressure, too! And in a previous study by the same group, they found that hugs and hand holding at the start of a rough day carried over and had a protective effect throughout the day, as well.

Wow! It seems that hugs are good for your health, after all! So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and teach your kids (and every one you love) about the importance of hugs. Make it a daily practice. And if you want to get the story straight from the mouth of the woman who said it first, go ahead and  download Charlotte Diamond’s song for yourself! Bet you’ll be humming it for years.