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what are the benefits of cuddling

by Dr. Jaquan Franecki DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  1. Reduces stress Cuddling is vital for alleviating stress as it promotes oxytocin release in the body. ...
  2. Lowers blood pressure When people are in a strong relationship that is very supportive and involves lots of cuddling between the partners, it might be beneficial through lowering blood ...
  3. Better relationships

When we touch – cuddle, hug, or holding hands – our bodies release “feel good” hormones. These hormones include oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. Once the hormones are released into our bodies we experience feelings of happiness, relaxation, improve mood, and lower levels of depression.Feb 13, 2020

Full Answer

What makes a good Cuddler?

  • The “spoon” Share on Pinterest.
  • The “half spoon” Share on Pinterest.
  • The butt “cheek-to-cheek”
  • The “honeymoon hug”
  • The “sweetheart cradle”
  • The “leg hug”
  • The “butt pillow”
  • The “lap pillow”

Does cuddling improve health?

In fact, simple human touch—like hand holding, hugging, and cuddling—releases a cocktail of hormones in our brains including dopamine, serotonin, and the aforementioned oxytocin—all of which make us feel good. Oxytocin has also been shown to decrease depression. Cuddling can lower blood pressure and your heart rate.

Why cuddling is good for your health?

Why is cuddling good for you? Well, it can beat stress, reduce depression, enhance your mood and secrete certain feel good chemicals in your mind. In fact, this is why cuddling feels good. Things That Affect Your Metabolism. Now, let us know more about the benefits of cuddling.

Why cuddling is good for kids' brains?

Cuddling with babies and children who are teething can cut down on irritability by making them less stressed and releasing brain chemicals to reduce inflammation and heal faster. Cuddling and kisses may not ease every kind of pain, but they can certainly help calm your little one, which is always a good idea.

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Why does cuddling with a girl feel so good?

The release of oxytocin makes you feel good because it is the love hormone. A touch or skin to skin contact slows down our heart rate and relaxes our muscles. This action is mostly due to the hormone oxytocin. As oxytocin levels are often higher in girls; hence, cuddling seems to be more beneficial for women.

What does cuddling do in a relationship?

"Cuddling helps release oxytocin, which is a bonding hormone that helps us feel close," explains relationship therapist Isiah McKimmie. It's also important to continue doing throughout the relationship as research shows that people feel more loving and affectionate towards their partner when they cuddle.

What does cuddling do to a guy?

"Cuddling, especially with someone you like, gives you a sense of closeness and relaxed intimacy that's difficult to find in other activities. If you feel comfortable with the other person, it kind of just let's you relax and not have to do much physically.

Is cuddling in bed good for you?

Research Says Yes. Here's some news worth cuddling up to: Science shows that kissing, hugging, snuggling, and holding hands produce more than just magical moments. They can actually boost overall health, helping you lose weight, lower blood pressure, fight off sickness, and more.

Why do I crave cuddles?

“When we hug someone, that physical contact releases a hormone in the body called oxytocin,” she told the ABC. “Oxytocin makes us feel warm and nice. It makes us feel relaxed, feel positive. So psychologically we feel like we can trust a person, we feel warm towards a person and we can feel that love effect.

Do men like cuddling?

July 7, 2011 -- Who says real men don't like to cuddle? In a study that refutes gender stereotypes, researchers looking at couples in long-term relationships have found that men value cuddling and caressing as important for their relationship happiness more than women do.

Can cuddling make you fall in love?

It should, because the touch and skin-to-skin contact we get while cuddling releases oxytocin—the feel-good "love" hormone.

What are the best cuddling positions?

Best cuddling positions. Be it with your partner, your favorite four-legged friend, or a comfy body support pillow, cuddling is an awesome way to de-stress and create intimacy. ... The “spoon” ... The “half spoon” ... The butt “cheek-to-cheek” ... The “honeymoon hug” ... The “sweetheart cradle” ... The “leg hug” ... The “butt pillow”More items...

Where do you put your arm when cuddling?

Slide your top arm over their body and keep your lower arm behind you, rather than under your partner. That way, you can easily change positions if you need to without waking your partner.

Can you get addicted to cuddling?

A "steady diet" of oxytocin helps trigger the release of dopamine, which means we're almost literally addicted to the person we're in love with. Cuddling is a drug, so to speak.

Can cuddling make you pregnant?

Kissing, hugging, and rubbing clothed bodies don't cause pregnancy. The only time pregnancy can happen is when sperm can get to an egg. (Read more on how that can happen in the section above.)

How do you cuddle by yourself?

Self-hugging 101Fold your arms around your body, positioning them in a way that feels natural and comfortable. ... Rest your hands on your shoulders or upper arm (just above your biceps). ... Imagine the type of hug you want. ... Squeeze yourself with just enough pressure to create the sensation you're looking for.More items...•

Why is cuddling important?

But intimacy with others is one of the essential elements to make human beings happier. Cuddling is one of the easiest ways experience the intimacy we need with our loved ones. Along with so many benefits, it’s definitely something that can’t be sacrificed. Cuddling is not just for women, men long to cuddle as much as women do.

How to improve your relationship?

Deepen Your Relationships. Communication is important in relationships, but people often forget how effective and meaningful touch can be. Advertising. When your career is so stressful you come home and can’t stop thinking about the job, you’re taking a negative toll on your relationship.

What hormone helps you feel connected to others?

Oxytocin is a hormone that does everything from making you feel good to helping you feel connected to others. [2] . Oxytocin is crucial in the act of cuddling, as you’ll see from its benefits popping up in the list below. Advertising. 2. Boost the Immune System.

What does a touch do to your partner?

Even a touch can release dopamine, which is a hormone that increases the desire for your significant other. Getting a sweet hug or massage from your partner after a long day can lead to more, which is win-win for both of you! 8. Help Mothers Bond.

Can you cuddle with your partner?

Cuddling doesn’t have to be between you and your romantic partner. It doesn’t even have to be with another person—you can rub your own shoulders! You can also hug friends or play with your pets.

Does hugging reduce blood pressure?

Hugging increases oxytocin levels, which is a ‘bonding’ hormone—this chemical reaction can help to reduce blood pressure, which in turn reduces the risk of heart disease. Your heart is happier and not working as hard to combat the effects of stress and sickness, you’ll be healthier, longer. 5. Reduce Social Anxiety.

Does cuddling help with pain?

Relieve Pain. Just as it boosts your immune system, cuddling and releasing oxytocin will decrease your pain levels. It’s like whenever your neck hurts, you rub it. Even simple touches like that release enough oxytocin to make you feel better, so imagine the effect cuddling has — a full body contact with another human.

What are the benefits of cuddling?

Oxytocin is released when people physically bond. Cuddling even helps reduce blood pressure levels, depression, and anxiety. It also helps to develop and increase intimacy with your partner.

How does cuddling help you?

Cuddling can help improve your overall health, strengthen relationships, and prevent indirect depression. It minimized stress levels and helps normalize blood pressure levels. It promotes bonding and physical attachment in people you care about. Cuddling can make you feel relaxed with better sleep.

What hormones are released when you cuddle?

Key Takeaways. Cuddling and the release of oxytocin play significant roles in your overall health and have shown to have a number of health benefits. Oxytocin is a type of hormone released by the pituitary gland. Sometimes, it is called the love hormone or the cuddle hormone since it is released when people socially bond or snuggle up ...

Why is cuddling called a hormone?

Sometimes, it is called the love hormone or the cuddle hormone since it is released when people socially bond or snuggle up and other love stuff, such as kissing and having sex. Cuddling increases the body's oxytocin levels, which help normalize blood pressure and improve heart health. Search. Close. Patient Login.

Why do we cuddle?

Cuddling boosts the immune system and helps prevent the body from developing infections. Cuddling acts like a painkiller. According to scientists, it is most probably due to the release of the hormone called oxytocin. Oxytocin is a feel-good hormone released when we cuddle.

Why do mothers feel less sad after birth?

3. Helps ease stress. Cuddling with your loved one triggers the release of oxytocin, which helps you calm down and deal better with daily stress.

Is cuddling good for you?

According to research, cuddling and the release of oxytocin play significant roles in your overall health and have shown to have a number of health benefits. Let's take a look at some of the health benefits that are associated with cuddling. Expert Answers.

Health benefits of cuddling

Cuddling generates stress-relieving hormones as well as hormones that induce happiness and pleasure.

Cuddle Comfort review

While cuddling is a great way to stay healthy and happy, we don’t always have access to people we can cuddle with, and this leaves a gap that is subsequently a hindrance to maintaining our physical and mental health. Cuddle Comfort eliminates this problem.

What is Cuddle Comfort?

Cuddle Comfort is one of the largest online cuddling services in the world. It connects people who need a cuddle, enabling them to get their oxytocin and all the other benefits that come with cuddling.

Last words

Cuddling can make a huge difference. Touch is and will continue to be a vital element of the human experience throughout our lives. The feeling of touch influences a lot of what we do.

1. It's Great For Your Sex Life

According to research out of the University of Toronto Mississauga, those who make cuddling a mandatory ending to sex, report "higher levels of satisfaction with their sex lives." It's not just because there's sex going on, but because taking the time for intimacy after the act reaffirms the emotional and sexual bond there.

2. It Makes For A Happier Relationship

All that cuddling releases oxytocin, which is basically your "good time" hormone. Not only does the hormone run rampant during cuddle sessions, but, "it increases overall happiness," says psychologist, Elizabeth Lombardo. Not to mention, the intimacy that comes with cuddling is important to the health and happiness of every relationship.

3. It Helps Relieve Pain

Sometimes, with just a touch, things are better. Think about when you were younger — whenever anything hurt, your immediate response was to call for Mom, because her touch was a magical cure-all.

4. It Boosts Affection

The intimacy that comes with cuddling, especially after sex, cannot be rivaled by pretty much anything in the world. Not only does cuddling make for better affection, but it also allows us to communicate our affections without words when words sometimes fail us.

5. It's Good For Your Immune System

What do we have to thank again for this one? Oxytocin. Without all that feel-good action going on, the even greater outer effect of it all is a stronger immune system. You see, happy people don't get sick; they just don't. If you're sick, it's because you're not cuddling enough. It's science, people.

6. It Lowers The Risk Of Heart Disease

When I say it lowers heart disease, I’m also lumping in all the other factors that contribute to heart disease (high blood pressure, stress, anxiety), and saying it lowers them, too. The physical effects that a daily cuddle can have on your heart are amazing.

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Why is cuddling important?

Creates more sexual satisfaction and intimacy. Cuddling often leads to physical intimacy, but cuddling after making love is important, too. According to a 2014 study, couples who cuddled after sex reported higher sexual satisfaction and higher relationship satisfaction.

What does "cuddling" mean in a relationship?

This position means you want to maintain a connection with your partner, but you value your freedom and sleep is high on your agenda. 4. The “honeymoon hug”. Cuddling is over-the-top when your relationship is in the honeymoon stage, and you and your partner can’t get enough of each other.

What is the best cuddling position?

Spooning is the ultimate cuddling position. And let’s be real: It can be sexual, too. Anyone can be the “big spoon” when cuddling, but it’s often the larger or more dominant partner. When you’re the “big spoon,” you wrap your arms around your partner while you’re both lying close on your side; your stomach rests against their back. When you’re the “little spoon,” your partner wraps their arms around you and your back rests against their stomach.

What are the benefits of Swedish massage?

If you make Swedish massage part of your cuddling routine, your immune system will seriously up its game. Swedish massage is a massage technique that uses long, gliding strokes, firm kneading, and tapping. According to a 2010 study, people who received Swedish massage had: 1 more white blood cells that fight disease ( lymphocytes) 2 less of a hormone (arginine vasopressin) that increases the stress hormone cortisol 3 a decrease in existing cortisol levels 4 a decrease in cytokines that may cause inflammation

Why is oxytocin released when you cuddle?

There’s a social bonding aspect to oxytocin, too. Research suggests oxytocin helps you bond with those in your inner circle. In other words, the more you cuddle with your closest friends, the tighter your bond will be.

Does cuddling lower blood pressure?

Touch has a calming effect which may lower blood pressure. Research has shown short periods of hand holding and hugging lowers both diastolic and systolic blood pressure. High blood pressure is linked to heart disease and stroke, so regular cuddling should be part of any high blood pressure treatment plan.

Is cuddling a love language?

Cuddling is a love language all its own. Some people live to cuddle and latch onto their partner every chance they get. Others, not so much. They reserve cuddling for the bedroom as a stepping stone for the main event. And forget about the common perception that men aren’t natural cuddlers.

Oxytocin AKA the Cuddle Hormone

No post on cuddling would be complete without talking about the star of the show, oxytocin.

How to Cuddle for Stress Relief

One of the best ways to reduce stress is to cuddle. Most cuddling, whether done on your own or with someone you love, is going to help reduce your stress. But there are a few ways you can increase stress release during a cuddle.

Great Cuddles for Couples

Cuddling is a huge bonding experience for humans, especially in romantic relationships. For couples, not only are you getting all of the many benefits for stress relief and sleep.

How to Cuddle While Single

Our first tip for snuggly singles is to remember that there is such a thing as plutonic. However, if you’re home alone and craving a good cuddle, we have got you covered. Cuddling is all about getting cozy, the first step is to get on your favorite cozy clothes, there is no reason to wear anything uncomfortable during a cuddle.

How to Cuddle for Better Sleep

The truth is that just about any kind of snuggles are going to be great for improving your sleep. Not only dos the comfort, lower stress, pain relief, and so on help you get to sleep more quickly. It can also increase the quality of your sleep throughout the night.

Cuddling Your Kids

We could go on for ages rattling on about the many benefits there are to cuddling with your kids. From newborn babies to teenagers, the nurturing and loving touch of a parents means the world.

Cuddling Your Pets

Pets often make fabulous cuddle companions. They love to snuggle up with their owners to stay warm and get in a few pets.

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