Today is National Cuddle Up Day!

National Cuddle Up Day is observed annually on January 6.

January is typically some of the coldest days of the year, so what better way to stay warm and reap the health benefits of cuddling on National Cuddle Up Day? Whether it’s a three dog night (a night so cold it takes three dogs to cuddle up with to stay warm) or only slightly chilly, there are multiple benefits to cuddling with human or canine or other pet.

Cuddling releases oxytocin. This hormone alone has tremendous health benefits. Besides giving us warm and fuzzy feelings, oxytocin reduces pain. So when the cold has made those muscles and joints ache, cuddling can help reduce those aches and pains.

Oxytocin also helps reduce heart disease, reduces blood pressure, stress and anxiety. If it weren’t free, cuddling would probably be covered by health insurance it’s such a huge health benefit!

Communication is more than just e-mails, texts or conversation. Physical touch can communicate trust, commitment, safety and reassurance. This goes for human to human contact as well has human to pet contact. Cuddling expresses all these things which are vital to a healthy relationship.  I tend to cuddle up with my cat Apollo.  I think I will do so today and watch some football!

 

~ Tim Thomas