In praise of hugs

This week has been a veritable hug fest at Posh Totty HQ. We launched our #shareahug campaign in aid of Women for Women International, not only unveiling our Personalised 'Share A Hug' Necklace designed specifically for the cause, but we also threw a party and screened the legendary Hazel Thompson's video of MD Alice's trip to Kosovo. So we've been hugging it up all over the place! Alice chose hugs as a sentiment for our charity partnership with Women for Women International when the theme of being embraced kept recurring as she spoke to women who'd been refugees during the Kosovan war in 1999. Furthermore, Alice was overwhelmed by the warmth and acceptance she felt from the women she met while in Kosovo. So it had to be hugs! But did you know that hugs are super good for you? Here are six reasons why you should definitely indulge in as much hugging as you possibly can...

1. It sets your immune system ablaze. Hugs make the stress hormone cortisol plummet, and the gentle pressure around the sternum area on your chest stimulates the thymus gland which balances the body's production of white blood cells.

2. It's a bonding bonanza! Hugging stimulates the release of a neuropeptide called oxytocin (also known as the 'cuddle hormone') which promotes feelings of trust, safety and helps bond people together emotionally. Studies have proved that people who experience feelings of isolation and depression benefit greatly from physical contact such as hugs. The science says a hug should last no less than a minimum of six seconds, but ideally around 20 seconds to really cash in on the flood of oxytocin.

3. They help ease physical pain. A good old hug conjures up a spike in endorphins, which block pain receptors in the brain, in turn alleviating the discomfort of actual bodily pain.

4. They're relaxing. Our bodies naturally let go of tension in our muscles when we're hugged, helping us to relax.

5. Hugs bolster our self-esteem. Did you know that it's imperative for a baby's survival to be touched and caressed by its parents or carers? The sensation of touch is an indication to a baby that it is loved and valued. Turns out, as adults we recall this sensation on a cellular level, and so the feeling of a warm embrace helps us tease out our sense of self-worth and self-regard long after we've grown up. 6. There's a saying that we need four hugs a day for survival; eight hugs a day for maintenance; and 12 hugs a day for growth.

So what are you waiting for? Get hugging!

Read more about our partnership with Women for Women International HERE. Check out our loved up Share A Hug Necklace HERE. 100% profits go directly to Women for Women International.