The Power of Virtual Hugs

The Power of Virtual Hugs in the Time of Corona.

We hug others when we’re excited, happy, sad, or trying to comfort. Hugging, it seems, is universally comforting. It makes us feel good. And it turns out that hugging is proven to make us healthier and happier. When a friend or family member is dealing with something painful or unpleasant in their lives, give them a hug. Scientists say that giving another person support can reduce the stress of the person being comforted, as well as the stress of the person doing the comforting.

How can a Hug have such big Effects?

When our body is stressed it shows a significant increase in It’s production of the hormone called ‘cortisol’. It works with specific parts of our brain to regulate mood, fear and other physiological functions. Long-term effects of elevated cortisol can cause depression, anxiety, insomnia, weight gain and many other unwanted health issues.

Research has shown cortisol also reduced the speed of actual wound healing whilst creating “flashbulb” memories of circumstances that we want to avoid in the future. Lower cortisol levels makes us more likely to maintain a relationship or friendship. Not only does a simple hug cut down stress (cortisol), it also makes the hypothalamus region of our brain release a surge of the ‘love hormone’ – oxytocin, which helps us bond and build trust with one another which is why hugging feels so good. The increase in oxytocin has been shown to promote physical wound healing and ‘deleting’ short-term memory. In addition, hugging someone releases neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin (feel good hormones) in the brain. Dopamine is commonly known as the ‘pleasure hormone’ so when we hug someone, it gives off the feeling of happiness and contentment.

However, in the time of Corona, when it’s hard for people to be in physical contact it’s heartbreaking not to be able to give and receive hugs. Isolation makes people lack the ways to show care for each other. The solution is to send a Virtual Hug. One of the best websites to do this is VIRTUAL HUG. You simply enter your name and the name of the recipient to whom you want to send the virtual hug. You can also make the virtual hug a little more special by adding a small message. This can actually make someone's day.

Physical isolation does not mean we have to stop hugging loved ones and friends, or even strangers. Virtual hugs can have the same benefits as actual hugs.