• NEW! The Guide 2022
  • 2021 Family Favorite Winners
  • School News!
  • Subscribe ?
  • Award Winning Site!
Birmingham Parent

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

  • Home
  • Magazine
    • Editor’s Note
    • Read Our Current Issue
    • View Past Issues
    • View Current Directories
    • Where to Pick Up a Copy of Birmingham Parent Magazine
  • Articles
    • Recent Articles
    • By Categories
      • Adoption
      • Behavior
      • Child Care
      • Child Development
      • Discipline
      • Eating & Nutrition
      • Expecting
      • Family Entertainment
      • Family Favorites
      • Family Finances
      • Family Relationships
      • Family Values
      • Feeding Your Family
      • Grandparenting
      • Health & Wellness
      • Holidays
      • Household Safety
      • Parenting
        • Infants
        • Preschoolers
        • Toddlers
        • School Age
        • Tweens & Teens
      • Safety
      • Special Needs
      • Travel
        • Adventure Travel
        • Family Travel Destinations
      • Vacations
      • Work & Family
    • Central Alabama School News
  • Events
    • Search Events
      • Help – FAQ’s
    • Submit Your Event
    • Promote Your Event
  • Our Directories
    • Expecting/Newborn/Toddler
    • Celebrations & Family Fun
    • Education & Enrichment
    • Health & Wellness
    • Kids’ Camps
    • Retail & Services
    • Special Needs Resources
  • Join Our Birthday Club!
HomeArticlesBegin the New Year Hugging More and Stressing Less

Begin the New Year Hugging More and Stressing Less

January 11, 2019 BP Staff
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Sharing hugs with loved ones has always been special, but did you know that hugging can actually have a positive impact on your health, as well?

Published: January 11, 2019
By: Courtesy of Tree Top
Author Website: Click to Visit

Whether circumstances are good or bad, exciting or stressful, there are several simple ways to improve emotional and mental fitness.

For example, sharing a hug with a loved one has been found to boost immune system responses, help fight disease and increase overall health, according to an article published by “The Guardian.” Hugs increase serotonin, which is the body’s natural antidepressant, can be a natural sleep aid and help reduce stress and anxiety.

However, according to the article, hugs are on the decline. Among the reasons for this decline in hugging are busy schedules, and the prevalence of technology extending the workday into time spent at home. It can be hard to focus on personal connections when work follows you home in your pocket. At times, it seems there are stronger connections to mobile devices than family members sitting in the same room.

With the help of its mascot, Seymore Good, Tree Top encourages everyone to “squeeze the day”, and acknowledge goodness in others by sharing a meaningful, honest hug. The grower-owned fruit cooperative that uses simple ingredients and real fruit also introduced innovative clear apple sauce pouches that let parents “See the Good” in what their kids are eating before they eat it.

In the spirit of reducing stress and giving meaningful, memorable hugs, consider these tips:

Keep it real. Avoid superficial hugs, or giving a hug just out of habit. Instead, try focusing on the hug, and giving it with purpose, as an expression of friendship. Squeeze hard, but not too hard.

Take a breath. Once you are in the hug, pause for a moment and breathe. Just one breath. This is where you have the chance to squeeze a little longer. Go ahead, and be a little vulnerable. In the moment, remember who you are hugging and why you are hugging them. This is a moment when the healing power of the hug can shine through, and a hug or squeeze is a sign of affection and trust.

Let it go. Be sensitive to the movements of the person you are hugging, and be willing to be the first to let go. Leave the embrace with a smile on your face, even in the hardest moments of life. Always let the person you are letting go of know you are happy.

Visit treetop.com for more information.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

- Advertisement -

Previous

Local Catholic School to Host a Sensory-Friendly Mass for Community

Next

Help Pets Ward Off Winter Risks With These Simple Tips

Search

Search for:

- Advertisement -

Upcoming Events

Click Here to Search All Events

Search Our Directories

  • Expecting/Newborn/Toddler
  • Celebrations and Family Fun
  • Education & Enrichment Guide
  • Health & Wellness
  • Kids’ Camps
  • Retail & Services
  • Special Needs Resources

Follow/Like Us on Facebook!

Family Features Recipes

Loading recipe...
Loading recipe...

Proud Member

Alabama Press Association
Southern Regional Magazine Association
Southeastern Advertising Publishers Association
Shelby County Chamber of Commerce
Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce
More Stuff!
About Us | Where to Find Our Magazine | Advertise | Write for Us | Work for Us | Contact Us | View Past Issues | Print Directories | Find Us | Make A Payment
  • Home
  • Current Issue
    • Where to Pick Up a Copy of Birmingham Parent Magazine
  • Articles
  • Central Alabama School News
  • Events
    • Submit Your Event
      • Help-FAQ’s
    • Promote Your Event
  • Our Directories
    • Expecting/Newborn/Toddler
    • Celebrations & Family Fun
    • Education & Enrichment
    • Health & Wellness
    • Kids’ Camps
    • Retail & Services Directory
    • Special Needs Resources
  • Subscribe
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write for Us
    • Work for Us

Copyright © 2021 Birmingham Parent Magazine - Evans Publishing, LLC | Tel: 205-624-2405
Digital services provided by Digital Doowop