1. Touch can calm your nerves.
Feeling stressed out and exhausted after a hard day of work? A simple hug could be the answer to your ails. A warm embrace with a person you love can help you find a reason to smile when there is a dark cloud overhead. Hugs release the hormone oxytocin which in turn lowers your heart rate and cortisol levels. Cortisol causes things like fat gain, heart disease, and high blood pressure, so physical touch isn’t just calming, but also healthy.
2. Hugs can make angry people comfortable.
Fights are par for the course in relationships but when they become too frequent, expressions of love can make all the difference. Being constantly mad at a partner isn’t my idea of fun. The next time you find yourself in a fight that escalates to the point that you feel uncomfortable, offer a hug or hold your partner’s hand. While this won’t magically solve your problems, it will make it more likely that cool heads will prevail.
3. A quick touch can keep you connected on the go.
It doesn’t require a huge amount of touching to create positive connection that will make you feel happy and fulfilled in your relationship. If you’re running out the door to work, give your partner a quick hug and kiss before you go. This will offer a spark of comfort and happiness that will help you get through your day. A light brush of your knees under the table will help you feel connected while you’re out for dinner with friends. You could go see a scary movie or walk at the park for a perfect excuse to hold hands.
4. Holding your partner can offer comfort in crisis.
A few years ago, a grandmother I loved dearly passed away and I was so upset that I didn’t know what to do. The activity-of-the-day was crying without pause. My girlfriend at the time was worried about me, so I met her at a local park. Without saying a word, she wrapped her arms around me and the flood-gates opened. I cannot express in words how much better this simple embrace made me feel. When it feels like your world has turned upside down, few things offer more comfort than a big hug from the person you love. If your partner comes to you with a crisis, don’t assume you need to say anything: simply open your arms, let them in, and hold them tightly.
