Are you ready to live? Really live that feeling good life you desire to live? Thank you for joining me on this episode of the Feeling Good Podcast, it’s great to be alive. On this feel good day we’ll answer this question: could a hug a day keep the doctor away?
Key Takeaways from This Podcast:
[1:08] Go to carsonnatural.com/resources for a variety of free resources to help you live a healthier life.
[1:28] Hugs can bring a host of health benefits to your body and a warm embrace could even help to prevent sickness.
[2:55] A study done by researchers at Carnegie-Mellon University determined that people who had more social support were less likely to come down with the common cold. Hugs counted for 32% of that beneficial support.
[4:09] Hugs can increase the release of oxytocin in our bodies.
[5:07] Oxytocin is a powerful hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in our brain and when we hug or kiss a loved one, oxytocin levels are increased.
[6:24] Hugging and the oxytocin release that comes with it can drop the stress hormones in our bodies.
[6:51] Another study found that higher oxytocin levels were associated with lower cardiovascular and sympathetic nervous system reactivity to stress in postpartum women. Pre-menopausal women who had more frequent hugs had higher oxytocin levels and lower blood pressure.
[7:35] Moods, depression, and anxiety can all be exacerbated during the holidays. Oxytocin, can help increase the levels of feel good hormone such as serotonin and dopamine, which may be why it has calming effects.
[8:50] Just because we are in the middle of cold and flu season, there is no reason to keep our distance from people we care about.
[9:01] Getting a firm, feel good hug before going into a stressful situation or if you are already in a stressful situation, this could help you feel more calm.
[10:03] We don’t really need to worry about the oxytocin levels. What really matters is how our interactions impact our emotional well being.
[10:58] We must not forget the real reason for celebration during the holiday season—God’s gift of Jesus Christ. Spread some good love, cheer, and hugs.
[11:49] This episode’s Feeling Good Superhero is Dr. Phil’s wife Kim. Kim says, “Hugging just always makes me feel better. It makes me feel secure and safe and loved and I hardly walk by Phil that I don’t touch him or give him a hug…” Dr. Phil said Kim greets him with a big bear hug and it relieves the stress of the day. He emphasizes: “We don’t need another drug, we need more hugs.” Dr. Phil encourages everyone to get more hugs from the people that you love and that love you. Kim says she grew up in a loving home where they hugged a lot so she was used to hugging being a sign of affection which she carried into her marriage. A simple pat or hug can make someone else feel that they are special. She now sees her children hugging others. Dr. Phil says, “I think hugging is a vital part of our well-being.” Use hugging to make someone’s holiday season brighter.
[15:41] The greatest joys in life come not from you being lifted by others, but rather by others being lifted by you.
[16:00] Please check out the free resources at carsonnatural.com/resources and check out Carson Natural Health on Facebook, and join Dr. Phil every Friday, during the noonday hour, Central Time, for his weekly Facebook Live broadcast called Feeling Good Fridays—broadcast from a different location every week.
[16:44] Have health questions or are you interested in free resources? Visit carsonnatural.com for free resources or for a question, click on the ‘Ask Dr. Phil’ microphone to record your questions or email them to [email protected]
Mentioned in This Episode of The Feeling Good Podcast:
Carson Natural Health & Wellness Consulting – Facebook page
Life Transformation Medical Center
Dr. Laura Washington
Email your questions to: [email protected]