If you’re new to my 28 Day Challenge to fill your home with love, WELCOME! You can find out more about the challenge on the original post here. Or you can just jump right in!

Today we’re doing two simple things that can change the atmosphere in our homes in more ways than one: a hug and a prayer. It’s fascinating to me that, from a scientific perspective, both physical touch and the act of praying are proven to have positive effects on people.

Your Day 2 Challenge is to Hug & Pray for your family.

HUGS are HEALTHY!

You know this, right? Hugging is good! (Even for my friend Angela who is not a fan of too much “hugging.” Lol!) Just in case you need a little extra proof, this article from  U.S. News and World Report shared about the health benefits of hugging. Hugs can increase oxytocin, which in turn, can potentially:

• reduce your stress
• make you less likely to catch a cold (c’mon, that alone is worth it!)
• lower your levels of cortisol (the “stress hormone!”)
• lower your blood pressure
• improve immune function
• Reduce depression and anxiety

Anyone need a hug??? 🙂

Prayer (really, actually) works!

And what about praying? This super interesting article from Huffington Post called prayer “the most widespread alternative therapy in America today.” I agree! Plus, they also listed some incredible benefits of prayer:

• alleviates stress
• helps you maintain a positive outlook
• helps you successfully weather trials
• can slow down your heart rate
• could lower your blood pressure
• can increase your well being and JOY!

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Can a hug and a prayer REALLY make this much of a (science-backed) difference? Come find out! Join the 28 Day Challenge to Fill Your Home with Love! ” quote=”Can a hug and a prayer REALLY make this much of a (science-backed) difference? Come find out! Join the 28 Day Challenge to Fill Your Home with Love! “]

Science and faith

It’s great to know there are concrete benefits to hugs and prayer, but if you’re a Christian like me, you know there’s so much more beyond the science. By faith, we believe God is who He says He is: our Father, healer, comforter, provider, prince of peace, mighty God and so much more! We find everything we need in Him.

So how does this all tie-in to a 28 Day Challenge to fill your home with love?

Whether you approach this through science or faith (or both), a hug and a prayer can make a HUGE difference in how your family feels today.

Let’s Hug & Pray Today!

You can start your day with a hug and a prayer, or you can pray on the way to school. (Lord knows we need Him in schools more than ever!) You can pray before sports practices, games and dinner. And, of course, you can hug goodnight, before or after bedtime routines.

Don’t overthink it! Hugging and praying don’t have to be complicated, planned out or fancy. Just hug your spouse and your kids today. And pray for them.

Lord, thank you for these amazing people in our family (who sometimes drive us crazy!) Help us to love them more each day, and experience Your love filling our homes beyond our wildest dreams.

Laughing (and loving) thru life,

Coppelia

P.S. Join the 28 Day Challenge to Fill Your Home with Love here!