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Cuddling Is Healthy For You And Your Partner

By Guardian Nigeria
23 March 2016   |   3:59 pm
As it turns out, cuddling might be the miracle drug you need to turn to life around. Unless you are completely opposed to bodily contact and displays of affection, we can all admit that cuddling feel nice. Be it with our friends, pets, an inanimate object or a lover, it makes us feel some sense…

As it turns out, cuddling might be the miracle drug you need to turn to life around. Unless you are completely opposed to bodily contact and displays of affection, we can all admit that cuddling feel nice. Be it with our friends, pets, an inanimate object or a lover, it makes us feel some sense of comfort and safety.

So, cuddling is our reflex craving when we’re scared or upset or cold. And we are now perfectly justified because science has proven that it is beneficial to your health to cuddle as often as you can.

HOW IS CUDDLING HEALTHY?

  1. It Makes You Happier

Woman’s Health Magazine says “touching someone releases [dopamine and serotonin], both of which can boost your mood and curb depression.”, which explains why the closer you physically are to someone, the more relaxed you feel. Also the human body releases a “happy chemical” called oxytocin when it’s close to another body. This aids the feeling of intimacy among the two individuals that is a vital part of a healthy relationship. A number of scientists have established the molecule’s role in inducing feelings of trust, devotion and bonding.

  1. Strengthens Your Immune System

Cortisol is one of the major causes of stress in humans, and the touch of another human has been proven to drop the present levels significantly. What Cortisol does is suppress a person’s immune response, hence anything which causes you to relax boosts your immune response. In effect, your body will have an easier time fighting off viruses and infections which will allow you live a happier, healthier life.

  1. Cuddling Reduces Anxiety

Sometimes being in close proximity to another person, especially someone you care about, will make you happier and also reduce your anxiety and worrying. If your lover has ever pulled you into his/her arms when you’re having a rough day, you know what I’m talking about. We already talked about how the human touch reduces the levels of cortisol.

  1. Cuddling Aids Better Sleep

Earlier, I mentioned Oxytocin is a “happy chemical” that fosters bonding between individuals and significantly boosts a person’s feeling of happiness. Well, it does more than that. Increased levels of oxytocin in the body will help you relax and reduce high blood pressure. Logic follows that if oxytocin is released when we cuddle, and it helps us relax, then cuddling will help you sleep better.

  1. Cuddling Builds Closer Relationships

It goes without saying that if cuddling promotes all this bonding and happiness, then the couple who are doing it more are probably the happiest. Think about it this way – if you used to be really intimate with your partner and you no longer do things like hold hands or hug for no reason at all or spoon while sleeping, these would be signs that there is something wrong.

“One of the most important differences involved touching. Ninety-four percent of couples who spent the night in contact with one another were happy with their relationship, compared to just 68% of those that didn’t touch,” – Richard Wiseman, a psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire in England.

So, science has proven that cuddling is definitely a great idea. Next time you want to cuddle up with someone and they object, simply pull up the facts and ask them why they don’t want to be happy.

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