Commemorations

Posted on Commemorations

Valentine’s Day – Why is cuddling good for your health?

Everyone loves a good cuddle, but many people aren’t aware of the numerous benefits associated with a simple hug.

While they are primarily seen as a way of feeling closer to a loved one whether they’re a friend, family member or partner, cuddling has a range of surprising positive effects that span both physical and mental health.

Our research has found that:

 

The UK’s favourite cuddling position is ‘The Seated Snuggle’ showing that Brits love getting cosy on the sofa.

While men agree with the overall winner, women prefer ‘The Chest Rest’ – an intimate bed-based hug.

Less intimate hugs like ‘The Pretzel’ and ‘Back-to-Back’ ranked lower showing that UK couples prefer closer contact both on the sofa and in bed.

Couples who cuddle more report having a better sex life.

Your immune system, memory and even your blood pressure can be positively affected by a hug from a loved one.

 

The UK’s favourite hug revealed

 

We scoured the web for the most common cuddling positions for couples and compiled a top 10 list for our survey respondents to choose from. Here is what they picked as their ultimate hug:

 

 

The mental and physical health benefits of hugs

 

Aside from feeling good and bringing you closer together with a partner or friend, having a cuddle is also good for you in a number of ways you’ll have never even considered.

 

1. Increased intimacy and sexual satisfaction

 

While it’s not exactly ground-breaking to claim that a cuddle can lead to physical intimacy, it’s important to remember to save some hugs for afterwards. This comprehensive 2014 study funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council found that couples cuddled after sex claimed to have increased sexual satisfaction as well as overall relationship satisfaction.

 

2. Helping you communicate emotions

 

Hugs aren’t just a source of physical stimulation, they can also affect how we feel and communicate our emotions. 2012 research by psychologist Jan Åström explains that emotions such as love, gratitude, and sympathy between loved ones can all be expressed via a simple hug. So, essentially, opposite ends of the emotional spectrum, happiness and sadness can also be communicated through touch.

 

3. Lowering anxiety and stress

 

With cases of anxiety on the rise, it’s reassuring to know that something as simple as a hug from a friend, partner or loved one could mitigate the symptoms. 2014 findings from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) showed that cuddling is an effective way to reduce the harmful effects of stress, reaffirming a connection with someone close to you and providing benefits to your mental wellbeing.

 

4. Boosting your immune system

 

The same CMU study found that people who cuddled more often were less prone to illness than those who shun hugs. Dr Sheldon Cohen who led the research concluded that:

“The apparent protective effect of hugs may be attributable to the physical contact itself or to hugging being a behavioural indicator of support and intimacy. Either way, those who receive more hugs are somewhat more protected from infection.”

This essentially means that cuddling protects you from infections, as the huggers in the study experienced less severe symptoms of everyday illnesses.

 

5. Providing pain relief

 

Research conducted by Israel’s Haifa University in 2016 found that an empathetic touch from a loved one such as a partner or family member can reduce a person’s pain response. This ranges from a comforting hand hold right up to the all-important hug which, according to the report, all have an ‘analgesic effect’ i.e. pain relief usually associated with medicine.

 

6. Lowering blood pressure and improving memory

 

The Medical University of Vienna researched hugging in 2013 and found that there are many benefits – as long as you know the person well. These positive effects include lowering blood pressure and improving memory as well as increasing levels of oxytocin, a hormone associated with increased social bonding. Their findings show the benefits of cuddling cover both physical and mental wellbeing.

 

 

It can sometimes seem hard to find time to properly relax and be intimate with those close to us. However, a simple hug can reinforce the connection between people and, as you’ve seen, provide a whole host of positive outcomes.

While we’re not suggesting that a cuddle can instantly cure what ails you, it’s reassuring to know that plenty of research has shown a good hug from a friend, partner or family member can be beneficial to your physical and mental wellbeing.

For more articles on wellbeing and a whole host of other topics – visit the Mattress Online blog.

Posted on A to Z of Medical Conditions, Commemorations

November is National Bladder Health Awareness Month

Image result for National Bladder Health Awareness Month

 

For a third year, the Urology Care Foundation, American Urological Association (AUA) and the Bladder Health Alliance – a coalition of groups representing physicians, patients and veterans – are drawing on the month of November to raise awareness about bladder conditions and encourage individuals to take an active role in managing their bladder health.

Millions of Americans struggle with the impacts of such bladder conditions and disease as urinary incontinence, overactive and underactive bladder, interstitial cystitis, urinary tract infections, nocturia, bedwetting, bladder cancer and neurogenic bladder, on a daily basis. These conditions have a significant impact on an individual’s health and quality of life, and result in substantial health costs (estimated to be more than $70 billion per year).

“Raising bladder health awareness and encouraging men and women to talk about their bladder health symptoms is a critical first step in eliminating the stigma associated with bladder-related conditions and disease,” said Harris Nagler, MD, President of the Urology Care Foundation. “It’s important for individuals to talk to their healthcare provider about what’s bothering them, including changes in their urinary function or urinary symptoms. Many times these conditions can be treated through simple lifestyle changes, oral medical treatments, diet and exercise.”

To support participation in Bladder Health Month, a number of downloadable resources – including fact sheets, posters, social media messages and patient brochures – are available on the Urology Care Foundation Bladder Health Month Resource Center. Additionally, the Foundation, AUA and organizations within the Bladder Health Alliance, will use the following weekly themes to connect, educate and inspire people across the country to get the facts, get diagnosed and take control of their Bladder Health:

November 1 – 3 | Bladder Health Overview 
November 4 – 10 | Interstitial Cystitis, Neurogenic Bladder & Bladder Infection/UTI 
November 11 – 17 | Bladder Cancer 
November 18 – 24 | Incontinence, OAB & SUI 
November 25 – 30 | Bedwetting & Nocturia

Bladder Health Month officially begins Thursday, November 1. The Urology Care Foundation has developed  a web pagewith resources for the public, in addition to its Twitter (hashtag #BladdersMatter), Facebook, Pinterest and Instagramplatforms to disseminate this information for public use and dialogue.

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognized the Urology Care Foundation, as the official sponsor of this National Health Observance. The Foundation aims to support and improve the prevention, detection and treatment of urologic diseases through research and education.