Hugs play a huge role in parent-child relationships. Don't underestimate the importance of physical contact between mom or dad and your baby, for whom touching and hugging from infancy is essential to developing a basic sense of security.
HuffPost magazine presents 5 reasons to hug your kids more often. And all these reasons are scientifically substantiated, proven in the course of scientific research.
1. A parent's hug is the best sedative for kids
A 2020 study monitored the heart rate of infants as they were being hugged and held by someone, whom they didn’t know (they slowed down a little) and then their parents (their heart rate dropped even more). This proves that hugging is an important way of bonding, and that a parent's hug causes rapid and measurable physiological changes in children.
Shonda Moralis, Women's Mindfulness Empowerment Trainer, Psychotherapist and Book Author "Breathe, mommy, breathe", told HuffPost about the power of a three-breath hug. You need to hug, take three deep breaths and exhale together. It helps both calm down.
2. Hugs May Affect Babies' Genes
A 2017 study found that parenting hugging babies can change their epigenome, the system that controls access to the body's genes.
The researchers studied about 100 babies and found that those who were hugged more before had epigenetic changes in DNA that could be measured and evaluated after 4 years.
Those who were less hugged or held in their arms had a so-called "epigenetic age" that was lower than the present. And the greater the gap between epigenetic and actual age, the worse the health indicators were.
3. Hugs trigger the release of oxytocin
Oxytocin, called the love and hug hormone, is closely related to parenting. It excels during childbirth and lactation, playing a critical role in strengthening parent-child bonds.
Researchers are becoming increasingly convinced that oxytocin controls attitudes, behavior and bodily changes on a more subtle and complex level that remains to be studied.
But it is already clear that hugging has a beneficial effect on human health due to the release of oxytocin, which can provide many health benefits. It improves sleep, has a positive effect on heart function and reduces stress. And this benefit is two-sided: both parents and children feel better.
4. Hugs can change children's brains
In 2017, a study was conducted that analyzed the condition of premature babies. It has shown that gentle touch stimulates their brains and forms susceptibility to attachment formation.
“We know that from the moment of birth, physical touch and hugs are very important both for the regulation of the nervous system and for the development of the brain. So we always talk about the importance of skin-to-skin contact, ”said Emily Mudd, researcher at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital.
5. Childhood hugs can help reduce future fears
The past year has not been easy, and many of us have lived in a state of constant fear. People are worried about their health and safety - and their own, and their loved ones.
But a simple hug can go a long way in calming us down. Preliminary research suggests that people who were hugged regularly during childhood are less stressed in adulthood.
Of course, children shouldn't be forced to hug when they don't want to. As a rule, the older the children get, the less willing they are to endure a parental hug. But verbal communication is also of great importance in the relationship between parents and children.
Psychologist Karl Pickhardt wrote in an article for Psychology Today:
“Never forget to use this good old verbal substitute for physical affection that never goes out of style and is almost as simple as a hug or a kiss. These are three short words: "I love you." They will never be superfluous in dealing with a teenager, and there are never too many of them. "
Source: huffpost.com
