Did you know Oxytocin can lower stress and blood pressure?
Oxytocin is our bonding hormone – most commonly related to breastfeeding and bonding with a baby.
Austrian researchers found that hugging between loved ones released Oxytocin while hugging strangers had the opposite effect. When people invade our personal boundaries we release cortisol instead.
Which makes sense because when the hugging is unwanted or we do not know the other person, it can be very uncomfortable.
Their advice – don’t buy into the social pressure of hugging complete strangers. It could be bad for your blood pressure and theirs.
Can see the original discussion here:
Hugging loved ones can reduce stress and lower blood pressure