It's surprising what happens to the body when we hug someone.

A medical expert has discovered that a simple hug can lift your spirits when you're feeling down.

Today is even known as "Hug Day", a holiday that is attached to Valentine's week that became a trend on social networks, writes Express.co.uk.

The concept of Hug Day is to highlight the importance of spreading love and warmth through simple hugs.

Alexandra Moorhouse, a GP at Wellson Private Healthcare by Practice Plus Group, points out that while not everyone is empathetic and preferences for physical touch vary from person to person, hugs can have positive benefits. So what makes hugs so beneficial for our health?

"Physical touch with a person we trust, whether it's a friend, a spouse, or even a healthcare professional, has been shown to mitigate the effects of stress on the brain," the health expert claims.

"Hugs and physical touch in general increase levels of a brain chemical called oxytocin, a hormone that promotes positive feelings and has a positive impact on how connected we feel to the people in our lives."

This hormone not only helps us relax and reduces anxiety, but it can also lower blood pressure and heart rate.

There is even some evidence to suggest that hugging can affect how intensely we experience pain and promote better sleep. /Telegraph/