Happynerdycon: Fun and Interesting Fact #3 The Science of Hugging 书呆子所爱之有趣的事实 #3 拥抱是疗愈的

Whenever I am in a rough patch of life, I know I will definitely cry after a good firm hug from anyone, especially my loved ones and friends. It is so therapeutic and healing for the soul seems to start right there and then.
每当我处在一个艰难的时期，我知道当我的亲人好友来给我个牢固的拥抱时，我必定会哭得稀里哗啦。心灵上的疗愈仿佛就从那一刻开始了。

Image Source: Pixabay

Why it is good to hug? 拥抱的好处

So, why is hugging so "magical"? The main reason is because humans are emotional beings and everyone could use a good hug. According to this source, hugging brings along many benefits. When we hug, our brain releases this hormone called oxytoxin, which is responsible for the attachment in relationships. It fulfills an emotional need within us. Oxytoxin would increase some other happy hormones like dopamine and at the same time decrease the stress hormone, cortisol.
那么，为什么拥抱会如此“神奇”呢？主要原因是因为人类是情感生物，每个人都需要一个好的拥抱。根据这个资料的来源（https://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2016-02-03/the-health-benefits-of-hugging) 拥抱带来了许多好处。当我们拥抱的时候，我们的大脑会释放一种荷尔蒙，这种荷尔蒙负责让我们对关系有一种依恋，也负责催生，所以叫做催生素哈哈。它满足了我们内心的情感需求，是个快乐荷尔蒙。催生素会增加一些其他快乐的激素，如
多巴胺 同时减少压力的荷尔蒙，也名称 皮质醇（对抗反应时也会产生）。
注:请点击其连接来更详细了解荷尔蒙的运作。

My son sometimes feels extra frustrated as he cannot relay his message to us. As a result, he may go into a meltdown. I do feel for him when I cannot get what he wants or he cannot get what he wants. The always effective and fastest way to calm him down is when I ask: Do you want a hug from me? He would sometimes immediately get up to come into my embrace and quiet down. I can feel the stress level within him going down.
当我的儿子因为无法表达他的用意时，他往往会因此而感到好烦恼，甚至陷入崩溃。当我不明白他想要的是什么，或者他不能得到他想要的东西时，我能感觉他的压力指数飙高。有个办法却可以有效和快速地帮他冷静下来，就是当我问：你想拥抱我吗？他有时会立即站起来，投入我的怀抱，安静下来。我可以感受到他内心的压力下降。

It is proven in studies that hugs can improve immune system as well as helping those who are sick to recover faster too! Hugging reduces blood pressure as well. Mental health is also improved when one perceives he or she has some social support. That's why I was saying hugging is MAGICAL!
研究也证明，拥抱可以提高免疫系统，也可以帮助那些生病的人恢复得更快！除此之外，拥抱降低血压。当人们意识到自己得到一些支持与鼓励，心理健康也会得到改善。这就是为什么我说拥抱是神奇的！

Hugging a Teddy Bear 🐻 拥抱泰迪熊

Image Source: Pexels

I understand in different culture, there will be a difference in the "appropriateness" of hugging. I for one, cannot bring myself to hug any stranger randomly unless I'm led by God to do that (So, kudos to those who give free hugs to people on the streets!) In my culture, we don't go and hug any 'Tom, Dick or Harry's. Even if it is deemed highly inappropriate to hug in a conservative society, there is always a TEDDY BEAR! I have read up about the origin of teddy bear when my husband took over Big Hug Burgers, which is full of teddy bears. I wanted to know why bears and who would have thought of creating the first teddy bear. It was in 1902, when President Theodeore Roosevelt (Teddy in short) was out for a hunt but he spared a bear. Later on, stuffed bears are created to commemorate his compassionate act and they were named after him, hence the teddy bear we have today. It is known that teddy bears are given to children in trauma to calm them down and to comfort them, especially that firemen would give teddy bears to fire victims, doctors and nurses give teddy bears to children who are sent in in emergency too. I mean how to not love their cute, squishy, fluffy and adorable looks? Looks very "hug-able" and inviting to me! These bears are to comfort the children and help them in their emotional state.
我们经常看到外国友人有时会提着个牌子写着:“免费拥抱”到处走，也可以很随意地拥抱陌生人（其实我很愿意为他们点赞👍，因为他们能接触到一些不敢向自己熟悉的人求助的陌生人）。由于我们有可能出身于不同的文化，有些文化极少鼓励拥抱的习惯，尤其是和陌生人。但没问题，我们都可以拥抱泰迪熊啊！你们可知道拥抱玩具熊也是有疗愈的作用？

当我的丈夫接手充满泰迪熊的Big Hug Burger这间店铺时，我就上网了解了解泰迪熊的由来（http://www.lilbabycakes.com/history-teddy-bears.html ） 。 那是在1902年，当时的总统Theodeore Roosevelt（简称泰迪）出去打猎，但是他却不忍心猎杀一只熊。后来，为了纪念他的怜悯之心，人民创作了毛绒熊，并以他的名字命名，因此我们今天就拥有了泰迪熊。众所周知，玩具熊是给孩子治创伤的，让他们从烦躁中冷静下来，安慰他们。曾经，消防员们会为一些年幼的灾民带泰迪熊，好来安抚他们一些创伤后的惊吓。医生和护士也会把泰迪熊送到急诊室去安慰一些小朋友。又可爱又毛茸茸的泰迪熊，分明就在“呼唤着您”，肯定会让人爱不释手啦！

Here's something I'm really shy about: I have a teddy bear whom I treasure till today, besides my husband as my "bear". My son has his own too. 我还有点不好意思说呢，我长这么大了，还收藏着一只玩具熊，甚至我儿子也有他自己的，他可记得每只熊的名字哦。😋

Image Source: Unsplash

I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words. ~Ann Hood

我了解到，一个好的拥抱比起千言万语更有力量！~Ann Hood

If you are feeling lousy, tired, sad, stressed or even lazy today, hug someone or a teddy bear today! Offer someone a hug today too, you never know how much it can make their day! Release the oxytocins and dopamine!😁
若今天的你感到烦躁、疲惫、不适或甚至懒懒的，快找个人或泰迪熊拥抱一下，激发一些快乐的荷尔蒙吧！也去主动拥抱一下身边的人吧！

References资料参考:
-http://www.ew9z.com/duobaan-zuoyong-shishime.html
-http://www.ew9z.com/pizhichun-zuoyong-shishenme.html
-https://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2016-02-03/the-health-benefits-of-hugging
-https://www.everydayfamily.com/blog/science-behind-teddy-bear-every-child-one/
http://www.lilbabycakes.com/history-teddy-bears.html
-https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ann_hood_540821?src=t_hug