Depressed? Get a Hug!

If you're getting a little moody during the holiday season, go out and get a hug. A new Canadian study found that people who are hugged regularly are generally happier and mentally healthier than those who attended church regularly.

Canadians seem to be benefiting from hugs as more than 60% of the Canadian population reported their mental health as very good to excellent. Canadians who got hugs “all the time” were twice as likely to report excellent mental health.

“For people who either benefit from affection or lack it, there are substantial differences,” says Jack Jedwab, executive director of the Montreal-based Association of Canadians Studies, who analyzed the data from the 2007 Canadian Community Health Survey. Affection has a link to being part of a healthy, vibrant community.

The proportion of weekly worshippers who said their mental health was excellent was similar to those who did not worship. The same pattern was found amongst those who saw themselves as spiritual. Religion still plays a big part in coping and should not be discounted. Perhaps clergy should ask that we hug each other in their weekly sermon. Have a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season!