None of us wants to be alone or lonely…but according to some studies social support from friends and family can help us destress and get through tough times.
One study found that when women are spending time with friends and children, they release more oxytocin, which is a natural stress reliever.
According to some experts this effect is called “tend and befriend,” and is the total opposite of the fight-or-flight response.
But the truth is that both men and women can reap tremendous benefits from friendship. Being part of a friend network gives you a sense of belonging and higher self-esteem, which can help you in stressful times.
And the truth to be told you don’t even have to have a bunch of friends, sometimes only just one true friend can make all the difference and give you the strength to keep you going.
On the other hand, it has been shown that social distancing and isolation have the exact opposite effect. One study has confirmed that men and women with the fewest social connections were more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety in comparison to socially active people.
Mingling with your friends has some additional destressing benefits too, like hugging and laughing!
Surround yourself with people who can make you laugh. Laughing is beneficial for your health and it makes you feel good and happy.
Laughing is a great stress reliever, because not only decreases your stress response, but it also relaxes your muscles and tension.
In the long term, laughter has been proven to improve your immunity and overall mood.
Laugh more and worry less, and you will see how your stress goes away!
Same goes for hugging!
Hugging is a form of positive physical contact with another person and it increases oxytocin and at the same time successfully decreases cortisol levels in the body.
Cortisol is a stress hormone, so by decreasing it hugging can also lower blood pressure and heart rate, and make you feel calmer and more at peace with yourself and with others.
Hugging is so powerful in making us feel good and loved so that humans aren’t the only ones who cuddle for stress relief, for example chimpanzees also help each other by cuddling friends who are stressed!