Hugs
When I was teaching a class with a friend, he would always teach the students that we need 8 – 12 hugs a day. I am currently reading the book “The Blessing”, by John Trent and Gary Smalley”, and it reminded me of that. The book talks about how important touch is. Children need the nurturing touch from their fathers. It also refers to a UCLA study that it helps maintain emotional and physical health.
I know that we teach everyone not to touch and that translates to many people who can benefit from a hug never receive them. How many of our children, or older people are yearning for a hug. What about those who live alone or are going through tough times?
I have told people that if they want they could cry on my shoulders because I was there to help them and they could tell me what they wanted. I had a large gentleman, the size of a football player, tell me things from his childhood and he broke down crying on my shoulder. He needed a hug and encouragement that he never received growing up.
Many of us may have grown up with parents who were distant. Some people in certain cultures are more “cold” where affection is not shown, but they are the ones missing out.
When I was growing up, there was nothing like getting a hug from a grandmother or one of the last thing that my father did before he died was give me a hug. Dad did not hug, that is the way that he was raised.
Some of the benefits of hugging is that it lowers the blood pressure, heart rate, the release of cortisol (the stress hormone), and anxiety. It increases oxytocin (which makes us happier), strengthen the immune system, and brings comfort.
Well, sometimes you may not have someone around but you have your dog around. You should be able to get the same benefit from the dog. You can also hug a cow, yes a cow, that is called cow cuddling.
There are plenty of people that need a hug, maybe you are one of them. You can never have too many hugs. You can always give a hug back.
Stay safe
Didymus McHugh
didymus-mchugh.com
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