("'") Bear Hug ("'")

We all have those days when all we need is a big ol' bear hug. But did you know there is more to a hug then a simple embrace? And I am not talking in a sexual sense. All too often we are taught that hugging and Personal Displays of Affection (PDA) are wrong and dirty. Some time ago, a few overly protective and misguided prudes took it upon themselves to preach that hugging was nothing more then a precursor to sex. On top of that is this stigmata that hugging is not "manly" and only woman hug. But none of that is true. There are, in fact, actual health benefits to a simple hug. According to Linda Blair, a clinical psychologist at Bath University, “Touch affects the cerebellar brain system, an area of the brain where basic positive emotions such as trust and affection probably come from.” A recent study done a two different universities showed that hugging for at least 20 seconds lowered blood pressure, lowered Cortisol (a hormone produced when under stress), and lowers the risk of heart disease. Hugging is also a mood elevator and can release the hormones Dopamine and Serotonin, which are mood lifters. That is why we are naturally prone to hug someone who is sad or under stress. And we can look to our fellow mammals and see the benefits of a hug or personal touch. How many times has a cat rubbed up against you? A dog lay at your feet? Its that personal touch that conveys love and trust. Holding hands for ten minutes is said to give you the same benefits of a 20 second hug. Can you imagine how happier we would be as a society if we could shed these negative associations with a hug? So with I say, social norms be damned. Give someone you care about, or even a complete stranger, a simple hug. And if anyone asks why, just say, "I care about your health." Love, and hugs, to all.

Burly Bear Chris