According to specialists from UNAM, giving and receiving between four and eight hugs a day can have numerous health benefits. Manuel González Oscoy, an academic from the Faculty of Psychology at UNAM, highlights that hugs increase the production of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that generate feelings of well-being and pleasure.
He explains that hugs can help reduce cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress, which in excess can damage neurons and hinder the formation of new ones. It is important to learn to give consensual hugs, respecting the other person's boundaries, so that they are effective and do not cause discomfort.
In addition to fostering emotional well-being, hugs help reduce stress, improve social relationships, and promote a sense of connection with others. Physical contact is essential for all species and becomes more important at the ends of life, according to Alicia Castillo, an academic from the Faculty of Medicine at UNAM.
On the occasion of International Hug Day, celebrated on January 21, the importance of these gestures is highlighted as a powerful tool for caring for both physical and mental health. This date was established in 1986 by Kevin Zarboney, an American concerned about the lack of public displays of affection, with the aim of promoting the importance of human contact. Hugs, besides being a sign of affection, represent a powerful tool for well-being.
