People who are in love often find themselves cuddling. After all, it can make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside when you do. Surprisingly, it is not only humans who love to cuddle, there are many animals who will snuggle up to each other as well.
As it turns out, the benefits of cuddling are not only mental, they are physical as well. Science has discovered that many physical changes take place in the body when you cuddle and if you get more of it in your life, you can enjoy these benefits in abundance.
Here are our favorite 3 reasons why cuddling should be a part of your life.
1. It makes you feel safe – A natural chemical, Oxytocin, is released during human touch and it can help us to feel safe. No wonder Oxytocin is known as the love hormone or the cuddle chemical.
When a gazelle is in the safety of the herd, it also experiences the release of Oxytocin. The same is true of a baboon when they are grooming their mate. This chemical exists to create social trust, which is why we feel safe when we cuddle.
2. It helps you sleep like a baby – Do you ever have a problem sleeping? Oxytocin may also help in this regard as well. When we are within the comfort of cuddling it can help us to relax and sleep soundly. The release of Oxytocin lets us know that we are not alone and that others are there to watch out over us.
Interestingly, Oxytocin is also released in great quantity during childbirth. This may help to build the strong bond between the mother and a child. Truly, the release of Oxytocin during cuddling can help to build a bond and enjoy some restful sleep.
3. Cuddling helps us trust – Touch and trust often go hand in hand, mostly because someone close enough to touch us is also close enough to hurt us. The brain seems to be hardwired to remember what hurt you as it can be a protection throughout your life. That is why trusting everyone would not be beneficial.
When we cuddle, it helps to build the trust that makes us feel comfortable with others. This is done through the release of Oxytocin. On the other hand, when we are hurt, cortisol is released in great quantity and it makes us feel threatened.
Although you can’t remove the old roadways, you can build new ones. The release of Oxytocin helps to wire your brain in a new direction, one that helps us to feel good about ourselves and others. Cuddling can help you to move in the right direction smoothly.
Please pass this important information on to others.