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Orlando & The Freakshow

The Health Benefits Of Giving Someone A Hug

Author Richie Ortiz

If you have been listening to the Shell, in the last couple of months, you have most likely heard me ask Orlando if he needs a hug. Some people, like Orlando, think this is weird. However, there is science to prove that hugs actually have positive health benefits. So put those arms out there and get ready for a long embrace, here are the benefits of giving someone a hug.

Health Benefits of Hugging

According to MedicineNet, there are several health benefits to hugging. Not only does hugging reduce feelings of loneliness and the harmful physical effects of stress but it also boosts the feel-good hormones in your body. While the boosts of serotonin and dopamine make you feel good, the boosts in oxytocin do a lot more for your body. The love hormone doesn’t only relieve stress and boosts heart health but also helps in losing weight, lowering blood pressure, fighting diseases, increasing libido, reducing stress, and giving us a feeling of comfort.

Have problems with your baby? Skin-to-skin contact helps and benefits them as well. Research shows a hug between a mother and newborn can reduce crying, improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and correct the production of growth hormones. It can also help give your baby a sense of body ownership and increase empathy for others as they grow up.

There is no time requirement for a hug, but there are incentives to hold someone a bit longer. With a hug of up to 10 seconds, you lessen tiredness, ease depression, and help your body fight against infections. Double that and hug someone for 20 seconds if you would like to relieve blood pressure, ensure a healthy heart, and reduce the harmful effects of stress.

Of course, I had to take this information to Orlando and let him know what he was missing out on. This was our interaction:

Top Reasons Why People Love Being Single

Leave it to social media to remind you about your singleness. With “We’re engaged!” and “Celebrating X years together,” posts, it seems like everyone you know is coupled up. But not everyone wants commitment or a relationship with someone. Some people prefer being single. And no, that doesn’t mean that someone who prefers to be single is bad at relationships. There’s actually research that shows people are waiting longer to settle down or commit to someone.

Many people choose the single life for various reasons. Maybe you’re happy living it up as a single person or trying to find your internal happiness until you meet the right person. Either way, there are perks to being single.

Most couples figure out issues together or may even rely on their partner to take care of things. Meanwhile, single people are challenged to be more responsible for themselves. This not only builds your character, but it puts you in charge of your own well-being.

Being single can also put you in a great position career-wise. For instance, you’re free to pursue your career choices without having to consider another person. You don’t have to take into account what your partner thinks you should or shouldn’t do. Some research even suggests that single people value meaningful work even more than married people do.

Relationship weight gain.

It’s often said that once you’re in a relationship, you gain weight. Men’s Health magazine reported that, on average, couples gain about 17 pounds within one year of finding love. ABC reported that newly married women in their early 20s gained 24 pounds in the first five years of marriage. They also said that newly married men gained 30 pounds in the same age group. Is this what happens when you trade in your morning Saturday walks for “staying in bed just a little longer” with your babe?

Check out some of the top reasons people love being single below.

  • Creating Your Own Routine

    You can dance to your own music when it comes to scheduling. Single people can create a routine that works for them. This includes consistent meal times, bedtimes, and events. You never have to consider your partner’s schedule. You can even pick up more hobbies, like weekly trivia or a class you’ve been wanting to try. For better or worse, your time is your own.

    Hand of a woman writing appointments in a diary organizer or schedule calendar with a lot of colorful sticky notes for her time management on a wooden desk with coffee, flowers and glasses, selected focus, narrow depth of field

    fermate/ Getty Images

  • Less Money Stress

    If you’re single, chances are that you don’t have to worry about spending money on anyone else but yourself. You can keep your money for yourself and use it for a solo vacation or a rainy day fund. Not to mention, you no longer have the financial obligation of buying someone a nice gift for birthdays, and couple-y holidays like Valentine’s Day, Sweetest Day, or Date-a-versaries.

    Portrait of wasteful rich girl in checkered shirt scattering dollars with arrogant grimace, boasting wealthy life, concept of careless money spending. indoor studio shot isolated on pink background

    Khosrork/ Getty Images

  • Well, Hello Free Time

    Single people get more freedom. Without the obligation of another person in your life, you’ll have more time for activities. One of the many perks of being single is just having space and time to focus on yourself and emotional needs. You even get a chance to know yourself better during the added free time. Use your time the way you want.

    Happy woman in a kayak rowing in a lake

    AntonioGuillem/ Getty Images

  • Beyoncé's Song Is YOUR Anthem

    Married folks can go ahead and sit this one out for sure. The benefit of running to the dance floor to vibe out to Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” hit, is for those who are single. If you’ve been to a wedding chances are that this song was used to get all the unmarried or single ladies to the dance floor. Let’s be honest, it was your moment to shine in all your singleness.

  • It's All Mine!

    Single people don’t have to deal with the phrase, “Let me try some” while eyes are glaring at their plate. That’s right, you don’t have to share a thing. Another food benefit of being single is taking advantage of not conforming to someone else’s habits or preferences. You can try a new diet or completely indulge without the extra commentary or worrying about someone else’s needs. You don’t have to worry about if the food you like is off-putting to your partner.

    Close-up of happy woman eating pasta for dinner.

    Drazen Zigic/ Getty Images

  • Binge Your Fave Shows, Without Waiting

    Watch what you want, when you want without the worry. Many couples like to watch a new TV series or movie together. But Heaven forbid you tune in without your partner. That’s one way to start an argument. So, if you’re single go ahead and binge that new Marvel series without looking over your shoulder. Also, you don’t have to sit through shows or movies that you don’t care for, because your partner wants to. Watch what you want!

    Happy woman, popcorn and watching tv with comedy and entertainment, streaming service and relax at home. Female person on sofa, subscription and internet, watch funny film or series with cinema snack

    Jacob Wackerhausen/ Getty Images

Rich grew up in the Bronx, NY but moved to Tampa in 2006 to attend the University of Tampa. Even though he completed 4 years at the University for Sports Management, Ortiz realized his true passion for radio after taking a couple of classes to fulfill his communications minor and volunteering at UT's WUTT radio station as a sports director. Rich also worked at several clubs in Tampa as a host/promoter where he would meet and work alongside Davy Rolando, who would be the one who would help him get a job at WiLD 94.1. From there, Rich worked his way up from Promotions assistant to promotions coordinator, to eventually full-time on-air. Rich loves to write about his favorite Tampa food spots, concert reviews, and the WiLDest Florida man/woman stories.

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