It’s true that you can feel better just by receiving another’s affectionate touch. After all we all have receptors in our skin that send messages directly to the brain. Just think about the last time you were given a hug or a pat on the back or someone putting their arm around your shoulders. And this feel good sense can be especially strong if the touch is given by a person whom you love or care about. In fact, it has been shown that you can get a boost of Oxytocin, often referred to as “the feel good hormone” from this sort of physical affection. This hormone promotes positive feelings and builds and maintains a positive outlook, which is why it feels so good! Research featured in Biological Psychiatry magazine explains that it’s long lasting too, the benefits of human touch given to newborns being measurable even 10 years after birth.
Similar Posts
Recognizing Your Proudest Accomplishment of the Year
This past year has been one for the history books. Emerging from the pandemic has been a challenging but fulfilling process, especially for healthcare providers and business leaders. As a psychiatrist as well as the CEO of PsychPlus, this has been doubly the case. It’s important for everyone to take a bit of time and…
What questions can couples ask each other to help them be on the same page?
Improving your relationship with your spouse involves open and honest communication. There are a number of questions to consider posing to your significant other from time to time. Always remember that open and honest communication is key to a healthy relationship. So, questions you can ask each other include:
Medications Coupled with Talk Therapy
Medications and talk therapy have been shown to work well together, especially in the treatment of mental health conditions. This combination is often referred to as “medication management” and “psychotherapy.” Medications can help manage symptoms, while talk therapy provides a supportive and therapeutic environment to address underlying issues and develop coping strategies. Talk therapy and…
Women, Anxiety and Wellness
Research tells us that over 40 million adults in the United States are experiencing anxiety disorders of some type. However, only about 37% of them receive treatment for the condition, according to Healthline. That’s a big problem, leaving millions and millions of Americans experiencing anxiety that takes a toll on their quality of life and…
The Loneliness Epidemic and AI
The loneliness epidemic is the growing societal issue of increased feelings of loneliness and social isolation among individuals. It’s influenced by factors like changing social structures and technology, impacting mental and physical well-being. Artificial intelligence has the potential to impact the loneliness epidemic in a number of ways including by providing a form of companionship…
Take a Break! The case for a little downtime
“Long periods of stressful activities can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being. As a mental health professional I know that research shows that small, positive, daily activities can make a big, positive difference in our wellness. This data has been published in numerous places including BBC Radio 4’s program ‘The Anatomy of…