Every move you make
Alters energy in space
Creating new patterns
Attracting vibrations
Shifting perspectives.
In conscious awareness
Our positive gestures
Begin to give and receive
Balancing subtle currents
Influencing cosmic rhythms
Activating harmony fields
Increasing love hope and joyIntegrating elements
Imbuing divinity in motion.
Savvy
In continuation to my earlier post
Here are some very interesting facts.
The average length of a hug between two people is 3 seconds. But the researchers have discovered something fantastic. When a hug lasts 20 seconds, there is a therapeutic effect on the body and mind. The reason is that a sincere embrace produces a hormone called “oxytocin”, also known as the love hormone. This substance has many benefits in our physical and mental health, helps us, among other things, to relax, to feel safe and calm our fears and anxiety. This wonderful tranquilizer is offered free of charge every time we have a person in our arms, who cradled a child, who cherish a dog or a cat, that we are dancing with our partner, the closer we get to someone or simply hold the Shoulders of a friend.
A famous quote by psychotherapist Virginia Satir goes, “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”
Whether those exact numbers have been scientifically proven remains to be seen, but there is a great deal of scientific evidence related to the importance of hugs and physical contact. Here are some reasons why we should hug::
1. STIMULATES OXYTOCIN
Oxytocin is a neurotransmitter that acts on the limbic system, the brain’s emotional centre, promoting feelings of contentment, reducing anxiety and stress, and even making mammals monogamous. It is the hormone responsible for us all being here today. You see this little gem is released during childbirth, making our mothers forget about all of the excruciating pain they endured expelling us from their bodies and making them want to still love and spend time with us. New research from the University of California suggests that it has a similarly civilising effect on human males, making them more affectionate and better at forming relationships and social bonding. When we hug someone, oxytocin is released into our bodies by our pituitary gland, lowering both our heart rates and our cortisol levels. Cortisol is the hormone responsible for stress, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
2. CULTIVATES PATIENCE
Connections are fostered when people take the time to appreciate and acknowledge one another. A hug is one of the easiest ways to show appreciation and acknowledgement of another person. The world is a busy, hustle-bustle place and we’re constantly rushing to the next task. By slowing down and taking a moment to offer sincere hugs throughout the day, we’re benefiting ourselves, others, and cultivating better patience within ourselves.
3. PREVENTS DISEASE
Affection also has a direct response on the reduction of stress which prevents many diseases. The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine says it has carried out more than 100 studies into touch and found evidence of significant effects, including faster growth in premature babies, reduced pain, decreased autoimmune disease symptoms, lowered glucose levels in children with diabetes, and improved immune systems in people with cancer.
4. STIMULATES THYMUS GLAND
Hugs strengthen the immune system. The gentle pressure on the sternum and the emotional charge this creates activates the Solar Plexus Chakra. This stimulates the thymus gland, which regulates and balances the body’s production of white blood cells, which keep you healthy and disease free.
5. COMMUNICATION WITHOUT SAYING A WORD
Almost 70 percent of communication is nonverbal. The interpretation of body language can be based on a single gesture and hugging is an excellent method of expressing yourself nonverbally to another human being or animal. Not only can they feel the love and care in your embrace, but they can actually be receptive enough to pay it forward to others based on your initiative alone.
6. SELF-ESTEEM
Hugging boosts self-esteem, especially in children. The tactile sense is all-important in infants. A baby recognizes its parents initially by touch. From the time we’re born our family’s touch shows us that we’re loved and special. The associations of self-worth and tactile sensations from our early years are still imbedded in our nervous system as adults. The cuddles we received from our Mom and Dad while growing up remain imprinted at a cellular level, and hugs remind us at a somatic level of that. Hugs, therefore, connect us to our ability to self love.
7. STIMULATES DOPAMINE
Everything everyone does involves protecting and triggering dopamine flow. Low dopamine levels play a role in the neurodegenerative disease Parkinson’s as well as mood disorders such as depression. Dopamine is responsible for giving us that feel-good feeling, and it’s also responsible for motivation! Hugs stimulate brains to release dopamine, the pleasure hormone. Dopamine sensors are the areas that many stimulating drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine target. The presence of a certain kinds of dopamine receptors are also associated with sensation-seeking.
8. STIMULATES SEROTONIN
Reaching out and hugging releases endorphins and serotonin into the blood vessels and the released endorphins and serotonin cause pleasure and negate pain and sadness and decrease the chances of getting heart problems, helps fight excess weight and prolongs life. Even the cuddling of pets has a soothing effect that reduces the stress levels. Hugging for an extended time lifts one’s serotonin levels, elevating mood and creating happiness.
9. PARASYMPATHETIC BALANCE
Hugs balance out the nervous system. The skin contains a network of tiny, egg-shaped pressure centres called Pacinian corpuscles that can sense touch and which are in contact with the brain through the vagus nerve. The galvanic skin response of someone receiving and giving a hug shows a change in skin conductance. The effect in moisture and electricity in the skin suggests a more balanced state in the nervous system – parasympathetic.
Quite a bit of indepth information on the healing powers in a simple hug.
Such is the magic in a warm embrace
Embrace, embrace with your heart.
When you are hugging a child, always be the last one to let go. You never know how long they need it. ~Author Unknown
My reflections on the stunning capture of the Cherry blossom Tree on Mount Fuji in Japan.
On the razors edge , there is poignant elegance
Beautiful poise, precariously in balance
Amidst the fury of the fire raging beneath
She stand resolute in her calmth
Not helpless but in knowing Nature’s ways
That in time all is well back to base
Beauty on the outside burns off into the ember
Leaving an ashen pile of dust to remember
Yet deluding the fury in being uprooted
In the strength of the grounding firmly rooted
Leaving an evergreen picture of poise
She has that stoic stance of grace
A pose of composure on destiny’s face
In spite of a life abruptly denied
She is the beauty of Grace personified !
Savvy Raj
Image credits
Sharing this beautiful story that touched a chord in me.
Mother is flying a kite.
Her son is watching her carefully.
After some time son says “mom.
Because of the string the kite is not able to go any further higher.
“Hearing this, the mother smiles and breaks the string.
The kite goes higher and then shortly after that, it comes and falls on the ground. The child is very dejected and sad.
The mother sits next to him and calmly explains:
“Son, in life we reach a certain level and then we feel that there are certain things that are not letting us grow any further like Home, Family, Friends, Culture etc.
We feel we want to be free from those strings which we believe are stopping us from going higher.
But, remember son.”That our home , family, friends and culture are the things that will help us stay stable at the high heights .
If we try to break away from those strings our condition will be similar to the kite.”we’ll fall down soon..
*Moral:*
*”Never try to cut away from Home Culture, Family, Friends and Relationships as they help keep us stable while we are flying high…”*
*Life is Beautiful*
*Stay connected*
So much truth in these lines
The bonds of love are there for a reason
To be nurtured and cherished by its sheer presence .
As to be lovingly supported is a blessing of grace!
Savvy
What does it take to be human?
A sensing of emotions
A feeling for life and living
A caring from the heart
A knowing of pain as much as the pleasure
A being in love with life
A sharing that touches the soul.
A connecting with the living you!
Savvy
A Painting by Savvy Raj Titled: Transcendence http://www.savvyraj.com
Also Published @
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/circles-compassion-savvy-raj
