* Pain Reliever. A good hug can help ease your aches and pains you’re special and I love you. If you’re not hugging, you’re missing by helping the body release tension.(2) out. * Immune System Booster. A hug gives the body an emotional Feeling a little blue? Get a hug. Notice that someone else is uplift that motivates the third Chakra, known as the Solar Plexus down? Give them a hug. Have no one to hug? You can still reap Chakra. The stimulation of this Chakra rouses the thymus gland, some of these benefits from hugging a pet or a stuffed animal.(3) which regulates the body’s production of white blood cells, which Give a hug to the most deserving person you know – yourself! keep you healthy.(2) You’ll not only gain some of the benefits but you’ll get a nice stretch * Increases Happiness. Hugging boosts serotonin levels in our in your shoulders at the same time. bodies, bringing about feelings of happiness and well-being and improving our mood.(2) Go Hug! * Decreases Feelings of Loneliness. Hugging Turn on those hug receptors of yours and watch increases oxytocin in your blood stream. for the chance to put your hugging skills to use. If Oxytocin, otherwise considered as the “cuddle you’re looking for a day to celebrate the art of hormone” heals negative feelings of loneliness, hugging, mark January 21 on your calendar. This day anger and anxiety.(1) is reserved every year as National Hug Day. National * Teaches Us Giving and Receiving. Hugs Hug Day, though not a public holiday, is an annual teach us how to give and receive friendly unofficial event created by Rev. Kevin Zaborney. exchanges with each other.(2) National Hug Day began in 1986 as a way to * Encourages Mindfulness. Hugs help you to encourage people to hug the people they care about connect with your heart and your feelings and let more often.(4) go of routine everyday thoughts for a few An American psychotherapist, Virginia Satir, minutes. Hugging can be like meditation for your determined that “We need four hugs a day for body by teaching you to “be present in the survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. moment.”(2) We need twelve hugs a day for growth.” Everyone * Teaches us how to connect with each other. can use a hug and you can never have too many. As I have added this benefit because I am convinced soon as you finish reading this magazine, get out of it. The more hugs you give, the more you Sharon Mernin & grandson Noah Stucky there and hug someone you care about. They’ll be learn to connect with people. Your senses of thankful for it and so will you! empathy, sympathy, care, compassion and n By Julie Eickhoff understanding become more tuned in and you develop better personal connections with the people around you. Sources: Why Hug? Hugs are awesome! They’re one of the best gifts you can give someone. They’re free, they’re quick and you can give someone a hug just about anywhere. You really can’t mess up a hug. They’re non-discriminatory; you can hug people of both sexes, of any race and of all ages. A hug speaks many languages: hello, good-bye, sympathy, compassion, gratitude, good luck, appreciation, thanks, 1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/27/health-benefits-of-huggin n 5008616.html 2. http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5756/10-Reasons-Why-We-Need-at-Least-8-Hugs-a-Day.html 3. http://www.eternitysunrise.org/reconnecting-with-your-body/benefits-and-power-of-hugs/ 4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Hug_Day The Flexsteel difference Limited Lifetime Warranty on the Engineered Laminate Frame and Blue Steel Seat Spring. Custom Frames & Fabrics Sofas as low as $699 www.hatchfurniture.com n n Of Ope i g oom s a G r nd d Sh ow r l e R m ode e 109 East Third, Yankton, SD 605-665-4416 Monday-Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-5 Evenings by Appointment FURNITURE &MATTRESS “Your Home’s Best Friend” HERVOICE JULY/AUGUST 2014 v 7