So a hug is a wonderful thing. It’s a marvellous gift to share. It’s a grand way to say, “I care”. A hug communicates support, security, affection, unity, and belonging. A hug shows compassion. A hug brings delight. A hug charms the senses. A hug touches the soul. UNKNOWN
Living things, like us humany things, are filled with energy. We channel the energy of the universe and transform it into thoughts, feelings, and actions; aren’t we clever? So what’s even more amazing, is that we can transfer this energy through us by touch.
Do you see where I’m heading here?
Much like electricity is transferred along wires when we plug an appliance in, we can become conductors of loving and positive energy, aka a hug.
I got there.
Whether you are sad, angry, stressed, lonely or simply tired, the loving touch of a hug can help you feel understood, cared for, heard and less alone. When we are busy in the day to day grind or when life gets tricky or we are not managing our stress or resting enough or when we are dealing with emotional turmoil, our positive energy can become depleted and weak. You know that feeling right? when you just don’t feel like you have the energy or will to do any more.
Bring on the friend with the hug and feel how your supply of energy is topped up again and you get your groove back on.
We all have that one, or if we are really blessed, more than one, special friend whose hugs electrify us and instantly recharge us. We become lighthouses beaming our positive vibes from tiny, weak and watery glow in the dark sticks.
I’m sure you don’t need convincing why hugging is so important but just in case you need to convince someone else, here is the science stuff;
*** Hugging releases oxytocin; the happy hormone released during a love connection that triggers the sensation of love, peace and my all time fave, JOY!
*** Hugging initiates bonding as oxytocin is responsible for forging a bond. When hugging someone, we nurture our relationships, feel love, develop trust, build confidence and feel closeness.
*** Hugging reduces stress as when we fill our being with positive energy there is no room for negative energy; simples! The happy hormone of oxytocin balances out the stress hormone of cortisol.
*** Hugging is healthy as we all crave physical touch. Babies who are neglected physically are more likely to develop long-term health problems, have a lower I.Q and lower self-esteem. Some hospitals are now using touch therapy to treat chronically ill patients and “Free hug” events are on the rise as we understand more and more our basic need for healthy physical touch.
*** Hugging helps others too as we often don’t really know what challenges someone is dealing with and sometimes words alone just cannot help. Giving a genuine hug instead can help someone feel less isolated, cared about, visible and understood and it can give them the valuable energy to keep going with whatever they are facing.
***Hugging feels awesome and a good long squuueeeezzzeeeee has the ability to lift spirits and make the body tingle with happy, healthy zinging nerves.
***Hugging reconnects the mind and body by helping us to live consciously in the present. Have you tried to write your shopping list in your head when experiencing a good hug? Not possible is it.
*** Hugging more makes us better huggers and that sounds silly right? If you take the time to square up to another human being, wrap your arms around them, breathe and feel their body heat, heart beat and skin, you truly benefit from the power of hugging and become better at giving hugs too.
*** Hugging cultivates patience in a busy, hustle and bustle world where action is valued more than stillness. By slowing down and taking the time to offer a sincere and heart-felt hug, we’re benefiting ourselves, others and learning patience.
So what’s your daily hug quota?
Family therapist, Virginia Satir says we need;
***4 hugs a day for survival
***8 hugs a day for maintenance
***12 hugs a day for growth
Finally, I don’t know about you but I’m aiming for growth so who wants to join me for a 12 hugs a day challenge this September?
I can’t think of a valid reason why we shouldn’t hug more and oodles of valid reasons why we definitely should.
Sending you a virtual hug,
Leave a Reply