I’ve been thinking a lot recently about this little blog of mine, and the sort of things that I want to be writing about.
One of the main ideas behind the blog when I first started it was to investigate ways what we can really enjoy life, and make it as glorious as possible! So I’m starting a series of posts which will all have one little trick in them that should help to make life better, easier, happier.
I’m hoping to bring in some psychological background to the tips where I can, but some will likely just be based on experience.
So, to start off, this week I bring you one little trick to start your day feeling happy!
Make time for a cuddle first thing!
I know, I know, when you’ve been forced out of bed on a cold morning to go calm a screaming baby, or you’ve been (quite literally) dragged from your bed by your co-sleeping toddler who is now demanding milk (can you tell that’s how most of my mornings start?!), then you might not be feeling too cuddly.
If you’re anything like me what you really want to do is head straight to the kitchen for a giant cup of caffeine-y goodness.
But taking a minute to grab your little one for a huge cuddle first will do wonders for both of you.
See, cuddling has been shown to increase the levels of oxytocin in the blood which in turn leads to us feeling more relaxed, more empathetic and more bonded to the person we’re hugging. Research has shown that a good 20 second hug can leave our oxytocin levels significantly raised for about an hour
So if mornings with your kids are normally rushed and stressful, then taking the time to give them a huge, loving hug could really help to make things a bit happier. It’ll release that lovely oxytocin which will take the edge off that stressed-out feeling. For bonus feel-good points you can take a minute to gaze into their sleepy eyes, which releases even more oxytocin, and makes you feel even more bonded to them, and who can feel sad when they’re full of love for their kids?
It’s got to be worth a try right?
And if you don’t have little kids at home, the same thing applies for all sorts of physical contact. So go and sneak a little cuddle with your teenager before they’re fully awake enough to stop you! Grab your partner for a cuddle under the covers before you have to get up and face the day. A few minutes snuggling your dog or stroking your cat will have the same effect too.
I’ve been doing a lot of reading about oxytocin while writing this post, and it’s just amazing! There is a lot of interesting research being done into this ‘love hormone’, how we can get more of it and how it affects us and our behaviour. So stay tuned for more posts featuring oxytocin around here, I have a few ideas for posts on how we can make the most of this lovely hormone!
Oh this has made me want to go give my kids cuddles right now, and I will thanks for a gorgeous happy post! #TwinklyTuesday linked after you xx
Haha, hope you enjoyed your cuddles! Thanks for your lovely comment. x
I’m definitely on board with having a cuddle to start the day. It makes waking up so much more bearable! I always pop in and give the kids a cuddle first thing and then I tell them they can have 10 more minutes in bed, which makes their waking experience much easier too. It’s so hard at this time of year isn’t it?! Thanks for sharing #TwinklyTuesday
Oh mornings sound so nice at your house! It is hard getting up in the morning at this time of year, so dark and cold, cuddles definitely help! x
I love a cuddle. My little boy and I snuggle up first thing while he has his cup of milk before we all get changed and go to work and nursery #twinklytuesday
Sounds like such a nice way to start the day, all cosy and calm! x
Ah this is lovely, what a great excuse for a cuddle if you needed one! Becky x #TwinklyTuesday
It’s a great reason to fit in more cuddles isn’t it! x
Oooh I am going to try this first thing tomorrow! #twinklytuesday
Hope you enjoyed your morning cuddle! x
Love this idea! And a really good reminder too. Following a rough night I often wake up irritated with my toddler, BUT starting our day with a big kiss and cuddle would help enormously. Thanks for sharing #twinklytuesday
It’s so hard isn’t it, when you’ve had a rough night with them. It really does help to reset and start the day happier if you grab them for a big hug! x
Ah yes a lovely, lovely cuddle in the morning does the trick for me. Our little girl is 6 and I’m making the most of all the hugs! #ShareTheJoy
It’s a great way to start the day isn’t it! x
THE best way 🙂
I came in here expecting to see some list making or squats of something so I am so pleased to see this and I will definitely do this! #TwinklyTuesday
Hahaha, I’m so happy I surprised you! x
Lovely tip! I’m going to try and get a cuddle out of the husband, the toddler AND the dog before I do anything else tomorrow. The only protest I foresee is from the toddler, he’s far too busy for cuddles 😉
That’s the spirit, get everyone involved! Hope your toddler slowed down long enough for a quick hug! x
I always start my day with a cuddle from my toddler and tiny tot, and you’re completely right, it starts off the day beautifully. Reading this has reminded me just how important and special those moments are, thank you 🙂 #BloggerClubUK
Thank you for your lovely comment! Mornings sound lovely in your house! x
I always have big cuddles from my 2 girls in the morning, especially the little one. So I must admit that it feels nice and it brings a big smile to my face!! I love cuddles!! 😉 xx #bloggerclubuk
Cuddles are great aren’t they! I love that both my children give great hugs! x
I’m SO with you on the power of oxytocin! I wrote a while back about the power of SMILING and how that releases feel-good hormones that make you actually feel happier afterwards. Love this post too – a cuddle a day keeps the blues away (and frankly any excuse to sneak in a hug with my little ones!) Thanks for linking up at #sharethejoy
Oxytocin is amazing isn’t it! And that’s right isn’t it, that smiling even if you’re not feeling like doing so can actually make you feel happier – brilliant! x
Oh what a lovely idea! When WB was a baby I used to start every day in bed, with my back against the headboard and my knees bent so he could lay on my lap and we could like at each other. We’d spend a good half hour or more chatting (well I would chat, he’d just lay there and look at me!!) and it is something I miss a lot. He is still a very snuggly child, wanting to sit on our laps and be held a lot, so we still get our cuddles in, but very rarely first thing in the morning when it all just feels like such a rush!
Popping over from #sharethejoy
Oh you’ve made me all nostalgic for that new-baby stage! That little morning routine sounds perfect! I know what you mean about mornings being a rush when they get older! x
Ah what a sweet post Madeline! Starting the day off with a cuddle is the perfect plan 🙂 I know what you mean about having the little one in bed with you but it’s a special time & goes by too fast. Thanks so much for linking up with #bloggerclubuk xx
The time really does go fast doesn’t it, I know I’ll miss these bed-sharing days in the future! x
I try to hug my kids at every opportunity, but me being a really bad morning person, whilst they are screeching for me to get out of bed, I must try harder to just grab them in for a cuddle! Problem is, I would probably fall back to sleep 🙂 #BloggerClubUK xx
Haha, there is always that risk that you’ll just go back to sleep mid-hug! x
I’m totally with you on this one. And it’s so true that stroking our pets can reap benefits too 🙂 #sharethejoy
There’s been loads of research into that hasn’t there, I’m sure I read something the other day that said even the sound of a cat purring is soothing to us! x