We all know that cuddling feels good, makes us happy, and just in general provides feelings of warmth, comfort, and affection.
There’s nothing quite as good as cuddling up with your romantic partner—or as a child, cuddling up with your parents, or with your friends.
There are even adults who enjoy platonic cuddling with their friends, just for the closeness and the bonding feelings it creates.
But here’s the real question: is cuddling and snuggling good for you?
Does it actually provide any health benefits, or does it just feel good?
Well, for those of you who love to snuggle, scientists have good news for you.
Science actually shows us that activities like hugging, snuggling, kissing, and holding hands create more than just happiness and fun moments.
They’re actually good for boosting your overall health in a number of ways as well.
These activities help with weight loss, help to lower blood pressure, and even help to fight off sicknesses.
Interestingly enough, even snuggling and cuddling with your pets can produce similar results as snuggling with other people.
So don’t worry if you’re a bachelor or bachelorette, you can still enjoy the positive effects of this activity with your beloved pet friends.
How does snuggling make you healthier?
The answer to this question really all comes down to one incredible hormone called oxytocin.
Oxytocin is often called ‘the feel good hormone.’ It’s also called ‘the cuddle hormone.’
It’s produced by the hypothalamus. and is released by the pituitary gland when we experience physical affection with other people or our pets.
When you hug or cuddle, and end up producing warm fuzzy feelings of connection, bonding, and trust, you can be sure that your body is creating oxytocin and flooding your brain with it.
The Bonding Hormone
Oxytocin also plays a role in bonding.
When you’re affectionate with someone and you release oxytocin with them, you actually grow more likely to want to hug, touch, and cuddle with them in the future.
Why?
Because you love the oxytocin release and want another hit!
This creates a snowball effect, and can lead to pretty intense good feelings that can even turn into long term, meaningful positive relationships.
How To Get Started With Some Snuggling
If you don’t feel like you get enough snuggling in your life, consider talking to your partner about doing a bit more of it throughout the day.
You can also ask your siblings or your friends if they would be interested in some cuddling to help boost your oxytocin levels.
If you’re not too keen on cuddling with other humans, consider getting a pet—or even volunteering at the animal shelter to cuddle the pets who don’t have families.
There are all kinds of ways to seek out this fun, pleasurable activity.
Physical closeness is healthy and good for you.
It’s a great idea to experience more of it in your life, and can do nothing but good things for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
