Hug it out: the surprising wellness hack your body and mind have been craving

IOL News

18-07-2025

According to Gary Chapman's bestselling book 'The Five Love Languages,' physical touch is one of the primary ways individuals convey love.
Image: cottonbro studio b/pexels
Ever had one of those days when you feel completely worn out, anxious, or just plain meh, and someone offers you a hug that makes it all a bit better?
Turns out, it's not just in your head. Science says cuddling is a wellness hack hiding in plain sight.
A recent Sleep & Partners Report found that nearly 80% of people believe cuddling helps ease stress and anxiety.
And yes, it really does, thanks to our body's love potion: oxytocin.
Meet your brain's best friend: Oxytocin
Happiness and touch work together to keep your immune system fighting fit. So yes, hugging your bestie or partner could literally keep the sniffles away. Nicknamed the 'love hormone', oxytocin is released when we hug, snuggle or even hold hands.
According to experts from the Cleveland Clinic, this feel-good hormone lowers your heart rate, drops cortisol (the stress hormone), and helps regulate blood pressure. Translation? More calm, less anxiety and better sleep.
Think about it: you're lying in bed, tangled up with your partner or your pet, and suddenly, your racing thoughts start to slow. That's oxytocin at work. And it doesn't stop there.
The secret sauce to better sleep (and a happier heart)
Physical touch also kick-starts the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows breathing and helps the body enter a restful state.
According to research published in Biological Psychology, cuddling may help reduce blood pressure, which could lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. It's like nature's gentle nightcap.
Plus, snuggling releases endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, which help soothe those annoying aches that keep you tossing and turning at night.
Love, intimacy and the morning-after glow.
Cuddling isn't just about comfort. The Sleep & Partners Report also found that 83% of people feel emotionally closer to their partner after a good cuddle.
It deepens intimacy, helps communication, and, as several studies in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships suggest, boosts relationship satisfaction.
Sex therapists often recommend post-sex cuddles too. The oxytocin rush strengthens emotional bonds and keeps relationships warm (literally and figuratively).
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Cuddling isn't merely for comfort; it also plays a pivotal role in creating emotional bonds.
Image: Alina Matveycheva
Cuddling boosts your immune system, really!
When we're happy, we produce more serotonin and oxytocin. And yes, serotonin has been linked to a stronger immune response, according to the American Psychological Association. Simply put, cuddling keeps your immune system happier by helping you feel safe, connected, and less stressed.
And if your cuddle buddy is your furry friend? That counts too. Studies, including one from Frontiers in Psychology, show that hugging pets can reduce cortisol and boost oxytocin.
Pain relief that doesn't come in a bottle
There's a reason we feel stronger when we feel loved. One study found that people who hugged more often were less likely to catch a cold. Happiness and touch work together to keep your immune system fighting fit.
So yes, if you're feeling achy? Research supports that touch can help reduce pain perception by increasing oxytocin and endorphins.
So next time your back hurts, a cosy spooning session might help more than you think.
Bonding from day one
Cuddling isn't only for couples. For new moms, skin-to-skin contact after birth floods the body with oxytocin, easing stress and helping milk flow.
As Cleveland Clinic experts note, it's a critical part of bonding that makes both moms and babies happier and healthier.
Not all cuddles look the same: Best cuddle positions
If you're ready to up your snuggle game, here are a few reader favourites, adapted from an article by Gabriella S at Prodiadigital: Spooning: Classic, cosy, always a winner.
Lovers' knot: Intertwined limbs and head on chest, intimate and snug.
Feet cuddling: Perfect for hot sleepers, connection without the sweat.
Head on shoulder: Simple but comforting.
Double knots: One partner hugs from behind, legs wrapped around.
Cuddling as a love language. In Gary Chapman's bestseller 'The Five Love Languages', physical touch is one of the primary ways people give and receive love. For many, it matters more than gifts or words. And yes, cuddling your dog, cat, or even a supportive pillow can bring similar comfort.
Cuddling is free, has zero side effects, and can boost your mood, immune system, heart health, and relationship satisfaction.
It's the ultimate wellness practice you don't need a subscription for.