Although the notion of Valentine’s Day and its focus on love, romance, and chocolate hearts may seem overrated and highly commercialized, it is important to remember the impacts of the holiday: strong relationships and physical touch. In a world increasingly dominated by digital interactions, the power of touch becomes all the more important when it is limited. The most common during this holiday is hugging.
Hugging is more than just a social gesture; it is rooted in biological processes that foster connection, trust, and stress relief. When we hug, our bodies release oxytocin, commonly known as the “love hormone,” which enhances feelings of trust, empathy, and bonding. This hormone also works to reduce cortisol, the primary stress hormone, resulting in lower anxiety levels and an overall sense of calm.”Skin hunger” or touch deprivation syndrome has become a growing issue, particularly for younger generations, who are spending a great deal of their time on the digital space. Hugging is an antidote to isolation and loneliness, offering a direct avenue for human connection.
The act of giving others a hug promotes healthy long-term relationships built on mutual trust and love. It helps to break down barriers and provides security in a relationship. Hugging is an integral act that should be taken by parents towards their children, as it teaches them what healthy relationships look like. The National Domestic Violence Hotline finds that individuals who grew up in homes where abuse was present struggle to set boundaries and may tolerate abusive behavior in their adult life because it’s similar to the environment they grew up in. They may also have difficulty identifying red flags in relationships due to their upbringing.
Despite its importance, physical touch can also bring of plethora of safety and boundary issues. The success of a hug relies significantly on it being given and received voluntarily. Cultural differences, individual preferences, and professional boundaries are all factors in determining appropriate physical contact. For women especially, the practice of unconsented touch by strangers had become a danger in larger cities with many women being forced to carry safety alarms and pepper spray as a necessity to defend against unwanted touch.
Ultimately, to strengthen and create healthy relationships, engaging in physical touch with loved ones allows for lower levels of depression and anxiety. Although Valentine’s Day may have passed, it is never too late to show those you care about a little love.
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