We all experience stress at some point every day; however, if we’re aware of it, we can actually do something about it. Some of the signs that stress levels are too high include: pain or tension in the head, chest, stomach or muscles, digestive issues, fluctuating heart rate and blood pressure, poor sleep, jaw pain, appetite changes, mood swings, difficulty focusing and feeling overwhelmed.1
Exercise, healthier eating, and getting enough sleep all have health benefits. One benefit is fewer symptoms of stress. Doing things you enjoy can help balance out stressful times. Mental Health America says that laughter, as well as positive feelings from your activities or relationships, helps beat stress.2
Talking to someone you trust helps lower stress levels. Keeping it bottled up can lead to increasing stress. Simple actions like petting a dog or going for a walk outdoors can help decrease stress. This is because cortisol levels are heightened during times of stress, and lowering them has a calming effect. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone.
A hug is a sign of affection and a way to transmit positive feelings. One study, published in the journal PLOS One, demonstrated that there are actual health benefits to hugging, including reduced blood pressure, decreased inflammation, lower risk of infection and better overall well-being.3
Just as cortisol levels increase when we are under stress, oxytocin, the feel-good hormone, is released when we receive or give a hug. Cortisol decreases during a hug. But how long does a hug have to be to have beneficial effects?
A 2021 study investigated how people reacted to both the duration of hugs and how the hugs transpired (either criss-crossed with arms or neck-waist style). The results were published in the peer-reviewed journal Acta Psychologica, showing that hugs lasting five to 10 seconds were felt to be more favorable than hugs lasting only a second.4 The researchers inferred that longer hugs are more pleasant than very short ones, and criss-cross hugs are more common than neck-waist embraces.
Those who have been with Nikken for a long time may have been fortunate enough to have met our Founder Isamu Masuda. Mr. Masuda was known for his humility and affection for everyone, and often hugged people upon meeting and departing. His hugs were of the criss-cross version, and known as “heart-to-heart.” Over the years, this became known as the “Masuda Hug.” The Masuda Hug continues on everywhere there is a Nikken event or celebration. It has become a cherished part of the Nikken feel-good lifestyle.
The next time you’re aware that stress is getting to you, try to be kind to yourself. See if you can find someone to hug! You might be able to reap the benefits within 10 seconds!
1 https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-level-too-high
2 https://drexelmedicine.org/blog/overview/stress-relief-tips-for-stress-awareness-month-and-beyond/
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