When we think of a healthy lifestyle, we think of the three most obvious things: healthy eating, exercise and getting the right amount of sleep. After all, this is what we see plastered all over newspapers, magazines and adverts. I’m pretty sure that when we are asked what the elements for a healthy lifestyle are, hugging doesn’t come to mind. But according to scientific research, hugging is vital for emotional growth, fighting disease, and the overall mental stability of today’s society.

Today, 54% of people in the UK fear that stress is having a major negative impact on their health. It’s scientifically proven that stress can weaken the immune system and therefore make people more susceptible to diseases and infection. I’m sure we can all agree that having a chesty cough throughout winter isn’t the most enjoyable thing, and that we’ve all been in a silent place, only to have minutes long coughing fits that causes stares. Imagine being more likely to have these coughing fits, due to extra workloads and too much homework. Next time you’re struggling under three projects all due the next day, instead of reaching for a coffee, reach for a hug! Hugs reduce stress by as much as 30% as they release oxytocin – the love hormone – causing us to feel calmer and less stressed. Oxytocin reduces blood pressure and stress on the heart. Who knew?

Happiness, warmth and self-confidence are side effects of a chemical known as serotonin, which is released by a hug. It also acts as a mood regulator and appetite controller. Our happiness level shoots up. Our hunger for touch is satisfied. We feel safe and comforted – all from a hug. In a study, twin babies born prematurely slept together in an incubator. This initialised frequent skin contact, strengthening the weaker baby. It regulated temperature, promoted healthy weight gain, and induced better sleep. This is known as kangaroo care and is used in hospitals across the globe. The simple action of hugging saved the baby’s life.

Family therapist Virginia Satir once said “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” So, for those of you who haven’t hugged yet, grab the person closest to you and hug them. Hug them hard. After all, a hug a day can keep the doctors away.