Not All Medicine Comes in Bottles—Some Comes in HUGS!
Shivika Gupta | Apr 15, 2025, 21:22 IST
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
You don’t have to wear a white coat to heal. You don’t have to prescribe pills. Your voice, your presence, your love—they are healing forces. Don’t underestimate your power. Your hug could be the turning point in someone’s worst week. Your “how are you really?” could be the reason someone feels seen after days of silence.In a world obsessed with metrics, be someone who measures in meaning.Because in the end, most of us don’t remember the medicine we took. We remember the hands that held us when we couldn’t hold ourselves.
In a world that races to medicate every ache, every sleepless night, every bad day—we’ve forgotten the simplest cure of all: a genuine hug, a kind word, a soft “I’m here.” Not every wound bleeds. Not every illness comes with a prescription. And not all medicine comes in bottles.A gentle touch can calm the storms that pills never reach. A heartfelt conversation can soothe what even the best doctor can't diagnose.Modern science is finally catching up to what ancient cultures and our grandmothers already knew: connection heals.
Let’s talk science for a minute—because even our brains are wired for kindness.
When you receive a genuine hug, hear a loving word, or even pet a dog, your body responds by releasing oxytocin, often called the “cuddle hormone.” It decreases stress, lowers blood pressure, and fosters trust and bonding.
Then there’s serotonin and dopamine—your brain’s feel-good chemicals. Studies show that acts of kindness (either giving or receiving) light up the brain’s reward system just like eating chocolate or receiving money does.
That means being kind is not just morally right—it’s chemically beneficial. It’s free therapy, and you don’t need a prescription.
Hugs as Healing
A hug does more than offer comfort—it literally changes your physiological state. Research published in the journal Psychological Science found that people who received frequent hugs were more protected from the harmful effects of stress and illness.
Why? Because a hug is an unspoken, unfiltered message: “You’re safe here.”
In moments of pain or confusion, we don’t always need advice. We need presence. A hug says, “You don’t have to go through this alone.” It’s a bridge when words fail.
So why do we underestimate its power? Maybe because it’s simple. But simple doesn’t mean small.
Kindness Is Medicine Too
You don’t have to be a therapist to be someone’s healer.
Kindness—small, quiet, consistent kindness—is its own form of medicine. Holding a friend’s hand in silence, cooking for someone going through a hard time, writing a note to a colleague who’s struggling… These are not grand gestures, but they change lives.
In fact, researchers from the University of Oxford found that people who performed acts of kindness experienced a significant boost in well-being. Not just emotionally, but physically too. People felt calmer, more energized, and more connected to others.
In a world constantly chasing "cures," what if we focused more on care?
Why Modern Life Feels So Lonely
We live in the most connected era in history—but many of us have never felt more alone. We have social media, smartphones, video calls, AI (hi )… but what we miss is meaningful presence.
In our rush for productivity, we’ve lost the value of presence without purpose. Of just being with each other. Without a goal. Without performance.
And when that’s missing, something aches inside us. It’s the ache that no pill can fix. Only people can.
The human nervous system is co-regulatory. That means we need others to emotionally regulate. It’s why babies can’t calm down unless a caregiver holds them—and why adults, too, often just need someone to say, “I see you.”
What Happens When You’re Touched With Kindness
When you’re in pain—physical or emotional—your brain goes into defense mode. Your cortisol spikes. You feel hypervigilant, reactive, sensitive.
But when you’re touched with kindness—through a hug, a kind word, or even a loving text message—your body begins to shift from “fight or flight” into “rest and repair.”
The breath slows. The heart rate steadies. The tears you were holding back finally fall. Because you realize you’re not alone anymore.
That’s not just comfort. That’s healing.
What You Can Do Today (That’s More Powerful Than You Think)
You might be the only medicine someone gets today.
Indian philosophy has always held that Sewa (selfless service) and Prem (love) are sacred. Hanumanji served Ram out of love. Karna gave his life in friendship. Yashoda loved Krishna without needing him to be a God.
These weren’t just stories. They were blueprints.
The Vedas say: “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—The world is one family.
What if we actually lived like it?
So next time someone you love is hurting—don’t rush to fix them. Don’t offer quotes or quick solutions. Offer yourself. Offer your arms. Offer your heart.
Because not all medicine comes in bottles:
Some comes in hugs.
Some comes in you.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!
The Chemistry of Compassion
Cuddling.
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Let’s talk science for a minute—because even our brains are wired for kindness.
When you receive a genuine hug, hear a loving word, or even pet a dog, your body responds by releasing oxytocin, often called the “cuddle hormone.” It decreases stress, lowers blood pressure, and fosters trust and bonding.
Then there’s serotonin and dopamine—your brain’s feel-good chemicals. Studies show that acts of kindness (either giving or receiving) light up the brain’s reward system just like eating chocolate or receiving money does.
That means being kind is not just morally right—it’s chemically beneficial. It’s free therapy, and you don’t need a prescription.
Hugs as Healing
Healing = Hugging.
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
A hug does more than offer comfort—it literally changes your physiological state. Research published in the journal Psychological Science found that people who received frequent hugs were more protected from the harmful effects of stress and illness.
Why? Because a hug is an unspoken, unfiltered message: “You’re safe here.”
In moments of pain or confusion, we don’t always need advice. We need presence. A hug says, “You don’t have to go through this alone.” It’s a bridge when words fail.
So why do we underestimate its power? Maybe because it’s simple. But simple doesn’t mean small.
Kindness Is Medicine Too
Just the Touch.
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
You don’t have to be a therapist to be someone’s healer.
Kindness—small, quiet, consistent kindness—is its own form of medicine. Holding a friend’s hand in silence, cooking for someone going through a hard time, writing a note to a colleague who’s struggling… These are not grand gestures, but they change lives.
In fact, researchers from the University of Oxford found that people who performed acts of kindness experienced a significant boost in well-being. Not just emotionally, but physically too. People felt calmer, more energized, and more connected to others.
In a world constantly chasing "cures," what if we focused more on care?
Why Modern Life Feels So Lonely
Supressing the Emotion.
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
We live in the most connected era in history—but many of us have never felt more alone. We have social media, smartphones, video calls, AI (hi )… but what we miss is meaningful presence.
In our rush for productivity, we’ve lost the value of presence without purpose. Of just being with each other. Without a goal. Without performance.
And when that’s missing, something aches inside us. It’s the ache that no pill can fix. Only people can.
The human nervous system is co-regulatory. That means we need others to emotionally regulate. It’s why babies can’t calm down unless a caregiver holds them—and why adults, too, often just need someone to say, “I see you.”
What Happens When You’re Touched With Kindness
Being there for them.
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
When you’re in pain—physical or emotional—your brain goes into defense mode. Your cortisol spikes. You feel hypervigilant, reactive, sensitive.
But when you’re touched with kindness—through a hug, a kind word, or even a loving text message—your body begins to shift from “fight or flight” into “rest and repair.”
The breath slows. The heart rate steadies. The tears you were holding back finally fall. Because you realize you’re not alone anymore.
That’s not just comfort. That’s healing.
What You Can Do Today (That’s More Powerful Than You Think)
Mom's Love
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
- Text someone: “Hey, I was just thinking of you.”
- Hug your mom. Really hug her. Let her know she’s not invisible.
- Tell your friend you’re proud of them—even if they haven’t “achieved” anything lately.
- Write a note to someone who helped you. Or better: say it to their face.
- Be the safe space someone needs—even if they don’t know how to ask.
The Ancient Wisdom We Forgot
Togetherness.
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Indian philosophy has always held that Sewa (selfless service) and Prem (love) are sacred. Hanumanji served Ram out of love. Karna gave his life in friendship. Yashoda loved Krishna without needing him to be a God.
These weren’t just stories. They were blueprints.
The Vedas say: “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—The world is one family.
What if we actually lived like it?
Let’s Prescribe More Love
Because not all medicine comes in bottles:
Some comes in hugs.
Some comes in you.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!