Another study, at the University of Miami in 2010, showed that when we hug someone, our skin’s receptors send a message to the nerve in our brain responsible for reducing blood pressure. Touching and hugging are beneficial even as a preventive therapy for many life-threatening illnesses. Four hugs a day are considered enough to boost a person’s emotional and physical health, but according to international relations expert Andy Stalman, the ideal number is eight six-second hugs a day. Six seconds is apparently the minimum length of time required for oxytocin—the hormone associated with
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