Hugs act like natural antiseptics by fighting flu and colds. Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University have explained that people's social connections have a great deal to do with one's health. It seems like the body of those who always find themselves in conflict with others is more vulnerable to viruses than the body of those who have a less stressful social interaction.
This project was aiming to prove if good social ties could protect people from physical illness depression or anxiety. The study has proven that it did.
A study of 2 weeks has been conducted on over 400 people. Each person has filled out a questionnaire made especially to determine their perceived social relationships and stress level. Every day they would receive a call and were asked about their daily social interactions: they were asked if they had received a hug that day or if they had experienced any conflicts or stressful situations with people. Then they had been intentionally infected with the common cold virus and put under quarantine for a week and were monitored. At the end of the study, researchers have found out that those who benefited from regularly hugs and more social support had less severe symptoms than the ones who were deprived from hugs and stress less social daily interactions.
This proves, touch may be the key to effective, to physically protect people against stress factors and diseases, with a minimum of effort. It was unclear, however, if hugging triggered some stimulates the immune system or if it just makes you feel emotional comfort or whether your body is vibrating energy better:
"It looks like a hug a day may not be enough. It is communication, and make it seem like you care about them, and you have a close intimate relationship, Lead author, psychologist, Dr xieerdengkeen said.
So, apparently a hug a day keeps the doctor away. It looks like that if you want to stay healthy and keep your body safe from viruses, whether you're receiving or giving them, hugs are the solution scientists have said it.
