GO HUG SOMEONE

(Appropriate, consensual) physical touch is super-great for your health

It doesn't have to last very long and it doesn't have to be a precursor to something more: Even just holding someone's hand, touching their shoulder, or giving 'em a good, long hug can boost their immune system, alleviate pain, lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, reduce stress, and markedly improve their mood.

And that's just in adults. In premature babies, 10 days of less than an hour of physical contact caused them to gain more weight, leave the hospital sooner, and accumulate $3,000 less in hospital bills. In children, consistent touch leads to stronger physical and cognitive health, larger stature, and greater social ease later in life.

So, the jury is in: Go hug someone who wants to be hugged. It'll make both of you healthier people.

But physical touch is happening less often between people than it used to

Whether it's because of technology or more (much-needed) discussions about consent and appropriate contact, it's true we're more physically isolated than we used to be. But that's not necessarily bad—in order for the health benefits of touching to kick in, it needs to be welcome, expected, and friendly contact. An unsolicited hug from an unwelcome source is probably adding to someone's stress, not reducing it.

The moral of the story is that you gotta be careful with it

When done right, a well-timed touch can be a more powerful drug than many medicines. Not bad for something that's free.

(The Atlantic)

Try this

Hormonal imbalances can completely mess up a perfectly good day (or week). But there are a few foods that can actually help get your hormones under control—soy products, broccoli, chickpeas, sour cherries, and chicken breast are your best options. Greatist

There's a better way to work out

It's called Peerfit, and it's a platform that works with employers and insurance carriers to pay for your fitness. That means you get to take the classes you want, when you want to take 'em (no blackout times or price hikes), plus get access to gyms and studios across the country. Even better, Peerfit offers digital classes, so if you can't make it to a gym or studio, you can exercise in your living room.

And no worries: If you're not a corporate member, you can still join

Obviously the best way to experience Peerfit is if your boss is paying for it, so definitely suggest it as a corporate wellness perk. But if that doesn't fly, you can always sign up for a personal subscription for $8.95/month. You’ll enjoy discounted classes and all the perks a corporate member gets. Just like that.

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