It seems that this week I have heard a LOT about hugging.  I read a fun story of the “hugging judge” that was touching.  Then I kept getting email updates about new studies in neuroscience showing the power of physical touch, the benefit of hugging and the stress-lowering ability of holding hands with your sweetheart.

Over the years there has been research showing that hugging can decrease stress, improve mood and even protect your heart!   Researchers at the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill showed that hugging…and even holding hands…with your loved one has profound changes on your cardiovascular health.  It was pretty clever what these researchers did.  They had a couple watch a “pleasant” movie for about 10 minutes while holding hands or not holding hands.  Those that held hands during the movie also hugged their loved one after the movie.  

After the movie, the couples had to recount to the researchers a stressful even they were going through at that time.  The blood pressure and heart rates were monitored.  The couples that were not holding hands and hugging had a significant spike in their heart rate and a rise in their blood pressure.  However, the couples that were holding hands didn’t even have half the blood pressure and heart rate response as the other group.  The researchers concluded that the physical touch aspect of holding hands and hugging reduced stress and made a person better able to cope with a stressful event when hugging.

What couple out there doesn’t face an outside stress every now and again?  Whether it’s a job, a health issue, a child or other factor your ability to get through difficult times can be enhanced by hugging and holding hands!

Researchers at the University of Vienna found that hugging your loved one also reduced blood pressure and increased the levels of a hormone called oxytocin.  This rise in oxytocin lead to decreased stress and reduced feelings of anxiety as well.  This release of oxytocin is almost immediate and was found to calm anger.  What a great thing to do if your wife is upset at you for something you did!  Rather than fuel anger…calm anger with a hug!

Hugs have also been shown to 

• boost the immune system
• relax overly tight muscles
• boost self esteem
• improve confidence
• balance out the nervous system

So are you interested in strengthening your marriage AND reducing your risk of disease?  Consider some of these action steps:

• Take time every day to hold your spouse for a full 60 seconds.  No words.  No rushing.  Just a hug for 60 seconds.
• Hold hands more often.  Driving down the road.  Walking through the grocery store.  Sitting on the couch.  
• Sneak a kiss at random times.
• Make eye contact.  This helps you connect physically and emotionally.

Have you ever gone through a situation where a hug strengthened you?  Be an example to couples around you and show positive physical touch…an important part of a healthy marriage!

Marriage is a holy institution ordained by God.  We believe that marriage is between one man…one woman…and until death does part.

In today’s social climate the concept of marriage is being attacked, ridiculed and redefined.  I personally know classmates and friends that are in their 2nd or 3rd marriage and only in their late 20’s or early 30’s.  The challenges they were faced with early in their marriage lead to heartache and divorce.  

We believe an obedience to and a love for God will pave the way for a strong marriage.  A strong marriage will then produce strong families.  A force of strong families will help create a strong society.  We literally believe that changing the world starts in the home.  

We want to encourage young married couples that a strong marriage is possible.  Creating a home environment that is safe and attractive to be in is more than a dream.  No matter your background…no matter your past experiences…following Biblical principles can create a happy, healthy and loving home environment.

We don’t claim to have all the answers, but we know the Word of God does.  We have also successfully faced some challenges in our 13 years of marriage.  We know what it’s like to:

• Move away from family to a different state early in our marriage
• Go through a grueling doctoral program and maintain a strong relationship
• Start your own business while dealing with your first newborn baby
• Deal with financial difficulties that arise from a single income family so mom can fulfill her calling by staying at home
• Juggle work, home, church and social responsibilities while maintaining some form of order and sanity

Our hope is that we can impact couples around us by sharing what we went through, what we did to make it through, and why we are stronger…together…because of it.