We have all experienced the power of a hug. For children, this simple gesture is even more important: dispensing the right amount of hugs can in fact help them grow up confident, happy and intelligent.
The famous American psychotherapist, Virginia Satir, was convinced that:
“We need 4 hugs a day to survive, 8 hugs a day to support ourselves and 12 hugs a day to grow"
Given that children are in a continuous phase of growth, it seems that the minimum number of hugs to guarantee is precisely 12, but if there are more it is even better. There is no need to count how many times we hug our children, nor must there necessarily be a reason, we say that the gesture should come spontaneously and from the heart every time we feel it "necessary".
Undoubtedly we enjoy the moment of pampering but what we often underestimate is the importance and value for the little ones of such a natural and human gesture.
The benefits of hugs for the little ones are many:
- they stimulate the vagus nerve and consequently impulses reach the brain which have beneficial effects on mood, sleep and appetite
- they produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps mood, gives pleasure and relieves stress
- they reduce the level of cortisol and consequently the stress
- they release oxytocin, the love hormone that increases trust and empathy by reducing anxiety
- allow the brain to develop at its best and precisely "grow"
- they prevent tantrums and anger
The hug allows the child to feel loved, protected and happy. Therefore, he lays an important basis for his personal safety which is essential for knowing how to relate to the outside world in the best possible way, helped by the right amount of self-esteem and without major fears.
It is not just about the insights of psychotherapists and child educators, even real ones scientific research they managed to demonstrate the benefits of hugging children. For example, researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio noted that the more you hug a child, the more his brain has the chance to develop at its best.
In short, never underestimate the power of a hug, especially for the little ones. We just have to dispense them more often!
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Read also:
- The more you hug your children, the more their brains develop. Science says so
- The containing embrace of the Holding method to calm children
- The Danish school where hugging is a school subject for developing empathy
- Hugs convey our emotions better than words
