A mutually welcomed hug has been identified as a "stress-buffering social support" in academic journals. Social supports that reduce stress keep us healthier longer. Who doesn't want that? If you are not a hugger, consider these ways to boost your stress-buffering self:

spend time outside or do some gardening

write a letter to a friend

call a neighbor to say hello

spend time with a friendly pet

share a meal with someone

Our ability to mediate stress contributes to our resiliency as people. We cannot avoid stress (a certain amount is actually good for us) but we can learn to manage how we live with it. Choose one or two activities and make a conscious effort to recognize the natural stress buffers that are already built into your life. Here's to building healthy stress buffers!