Hugs provide comfort and security, and in this time of isolation we should be practicing the act of hugging ourselves for self-care. In the spirit of National Hug Day on January 21st, we have put together a list of reasons to embrace yourself. You’re living through a pandemic and you deserve a hug!
Provides a Feeling of Security
As things continue to become more uncertain as each day passes, the lack of human connection most of us are experiencing can feel elevated. It won’t be the same but wrapping your arms around yourself will help you feel comforted in a stressful time if you’re by yourself.
Improves Mood
With mood boosting, we take what we can get these days. Wrapping yourself up in your own arms is proven to help boost your mood and reduce stress just as a hug from someone else might. It’s not going to solve your problems, but it will help.
Relieves Pain
Believe it or not, hugging yourself can help relieve minor aches and pains. Crossing your arms and wrapping them around yourself can cause mixed signals that can relieve pain. Studies show it releases oxytocin which can relieve pain. When you are hugging yourself, you can give yourself a little back massage to relieve pressure points that may be neglected due to not being able to go get a massage.
How to Give Yourself a Hug
Now that we know why we should be giving ourselves a squeeze on the daily, let’s look at how to do it properly to get those benefits. It’s as easy as wrapping yourself up like you would someone else in a hug, but here are some tips for hugging yourself.
· Cross your arms across your body in a way that’s comfortable to you
· Rest your hands on your shoulders, or arms above biceps. Whichever position is available to you.
· Squeeze yourself with enough pressure for the kind of hug you wany
· Once you are in the hug, rock back and forth, stay still, lay down, do whatever makes you most comfortable.
· Give yourself a little back or neck massage if that’s something you think you’d like. This is for YOU, so do what makes you feel most comfortable!
So, are you ready to give it a try? National Hug Day is right around the corner like we said (January 21st) and it’s the perfect time to give it a go.
