SOLUTION:

A Huge a Day Keeps the Doctor Away 

PURPOSE: Give a hug to lift serotonin levels, elevate mood, and create happiness. Research shows that hugging can build trust and security, boost oxytocin levels, which heal feelings of loneliness, isolation and anger, boost self-esteem, relax muscles and release tension, balance the nervous system and strengthen the immune system.

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SOLUTION:

A Huge a Day Keeps the Doctor Away 

PURPOSE: Give a hug to lift serotonin levels, elevate mood, and create happiness. Research shows that hugging can build trust and security, boost oxytocin levels, which heal feelings of loneliness, isolation and anger, boost self-esteem, relax muscles and release tension, balance the nervous system and strengthen the immune system.

Time: < 30 Minutes

STEP 1: Think about who needs hugs and when you can provide them. Do you know anyone in the hospital or who lives alone that could use a hug? They don’t have the opportunity to receive 4/8/12 hugs a day, but if you provide one when you get there and one when you leave, that’s two more than they would have had otherwise.

STEP 2: Times to consider hugging: when you wake up, leave for work, wake up your kids, before your kids get in the car, see a friend at work (if it won’t create any awkwardness), once you get home, while cooking dinner, before you/your kids go to bed, when someone is having a bad day/week/month/year, when someone you know is grieving, when you arrive at someone’s house and when you leave.

STEP 3: Challenge yourself to give at least 4 hugs a day to those you live with. If you live alone, seek opportunities or invite others over so you can give/receive an adequate number of hugs. Another option is to meet a friend for lunch and hug them when you see them.

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