Hugs are more powerful than many people realize. Something as simple as a warm embrace can affect both your body and your mind. Hugs can calm you down, help you feel supported, reduce feelings of loneliness, and even create measurable changes in stress hormones inside the body. That is one reason hugs can feel so comforting during difficult seasons of life. Hugs Help Reduce Stress One of the biggest benefits of hugs is their ability to lower stress. When you hug someone you trust, your body often releases oxytocin, sometimes called the "cuddle hormone." Oxytocin helps promote feelings of safety, trust, calmness, and connection. At the same time, hugs may help lower cortisol, which is one of the body's main stress hormones. Studies have found that receiving hugs can reduce cortisol responses after stressful situations, helping the body recover more quickly. Hugs Can Improve Mood Hugs may also help increase dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, which are chemicals linked to happiness, pleasure, and emotional well-being. That is one reason a hug can sometimes help when someone feels anxious, sad, lonely, or emotionally overwhelmed. Physical affection may help reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, and emotional distress. Hugs Help People Feel Safe and Connected A hug is not just physical. It can also communicate love, comfort, reassurance, empathy, and support without saying a single word. Many people feel calmer after being hugged because hugs can strengthen emotional connection and reduce feelings of loneliness. Touch is often described as a "social safety signal" because it reminds people they are not alone. This can be especially important during stressful times, grief, fear, or emotional pain. Hugs May Help Your Heart and Immune System Research suggests hugs may support heart health by lowering blood pressure and heart rate during stressful situations. Some studies also suggest hugs may help strengthen the immune system because they reduce stress, and chronic stress can weaken the body's natural defenses.

This Skool community is growing, not so much in numbers, but in engagement, and that’s fantastic. As you can see, I’m making a few changes, some of them suggested by the community itself. Brilliant. So, we now have 4 boards. One can be used only by me, where I’ll write daily topics or updates like this one. One is called Introduce Yourself, where you can introduce yourself or share a piece of news you want to put out there. One is called Questions and Answers, if you’re looking for guidance, help, or advice. And one is the Writing Board, where you can share excerpts of what you’re writing or have already written. You can also share ideas for things you want to create or are planning to build. All of this, of course, with honesty and the utmost respect. If you have any questions about these 4 boards, I’ll reply here. 😄

Alright. A new Board for your writing process! Yeah! Here you can share your work, pieces of what you’re writing, or excerpts from a book you’ve already published. Let’s keep this an honest board. If we write, we should read as well. That way, anyone who shares their work here and wants to be read will have a real audience of readers. But I’ll say it again: if you want people to read your work, return the favour by reading others too. That’s how a community works. I’d also encourage writers to share just a few pieces at a time, maybe one or two a day, so readers have the time to actually read them and, hopefully, leave a comment. 😃 How does all of this sound? enjoy!

Monday is a brand new start A chance for faith to lead your heart Leave behind the fear and stress We step into God's very best Walk with courage, stand up tall Trust that God loves you all Every prayer safely resting God gives many blessings Do not worry, do not fear God is walking with you is clear He will open a many door And bless you with so much more Success is not just wealth or gain It is standing strong through joy and pain So start this week with faith and grace And trust God has prepared your place. Stacey Brooks Thego2writer

Writers Academy helps us grow And gives us confidence to show That every story has a place And every writer has their grace Some come in scared and full of doubt Then find the words to let it out Some come in with books half done Or dreams they thought they could not run Some come in with goals so big But need a little help to dig Through all the fear and all the noise To finally trust their inner voice Because we all have things to say And Writers Academy lights the way It helps us learn and helps us see The writer we all want to be. Hope you all have an amazing and blessed Sunday brothers and sisters. Stacey Brooks Thego2writer