Nice to Know: What Does Valentine’s Day Bring to Mind for You? Candy? Flowers?
by
PSN Team 
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Valentine’s Day
How about something that actually helps your body and mind. i am talking about hugs!
Is there enough Oxytocin in your blood? If not, you need to hug your spouse/lover/partner a little longer. Yes, that will do it. What am I talking about? Oxytocin, also called the “bonding hormone,” is a very important feel-good hormone in the body. Research indicates that (1) it “inspires the feeling of meaningful connection with others;” (2) it is “also linked to reducing blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.” Some refer to it as the “happy hormone.”
Research has discovered that there is something magical to having long hugs. They have figured out that Oxytocin is released when we hug for at least 20 seconds. A short, quick hug, like those at the church door, will not produce Oxytocin. Perhaps that’s good. We do not want to be bonded to the wrong people. Another lesson is that we need to avoid having long hugs with individuals with whom we are not connected or those with whom we should not be romantically connected. This is a good tip for our loved ones who may be inclined to hug a bit too long.
Remember it is 20 seconds. Even if you have to practice before with a doll or timer, do it. Keep on doing it.
More Valentine’s Day Ideas
- Tips to Make Valentine’s Day a Gift to All
- Dated Night Ideas for Exhausted Parents
- Date Nights At-Home with the One You Love
- The Vows of Special Needs Parents
- Relationship Rescue: Tips to Regain Intimacy With Your Partner
- Cooking with Kids: Chocolate-Fondue
- DIY Valentine Craft: Heart Magnets
- 7 Speech Activities for Valentine’s Day Using Conversation Hearts
- Valentine’s Day Craft: Dragonflies or butterflies you decide?
- Can a Single Parent of a Special Needs Child Find Love, too?
- How I Was Able to Find Love Again and my Boyfriend Loves Both my Children
- Relationship Rescue: My Daughter is Talking About Marriage
- “Back-To-School” Can Also Be “Back-To-Romance” for Special Needs Couples
This post originally appeared on our January/February 2022 Magazine
