Wednesday, May 20, 2009

May 6, 2009: The Joy of Hugging

Folk wisdom tells us we need eight hugs a day to stay healthy, twelve hugs a day to heal. Modern medicine may not use the same numbers, but it does endorse touch as an important component of health.

We are born from an all-surrounding hug, the womb. Our bodies know instinctively that a hug means warmth, caring, and support. As children we cuddle easily. As we grow up, we learn about distance, but we still crave hugs at moments of triumph or trouble.

Social hugging isn’t the same as healing hugging. The touch-the-shoulder, peck-the-cheek greeting of social gatherings doesn’t contribute much to the health of either party. Instead, next time you hug someone, put your focus on the other person, even if only for a few seconds. Giving a focused hug is a great way to genuinely connect, and receiving a focused hug is a powerful booster of self-esteem.

One of the lovely things about hugging is that it takes two. The hugger and the huggee benefit equally. Except in competitive wrestling, a hug is always a positive expression. We hug to greet, to comfort, to congratulate, and to support.

Here’s a heart hug you can try with someone you feel close to. Each person puts their left hand over the other’s shoulder, and their right arm around the other’s waist. You’ll find your hearts will line up, opening a channel of comfort and caring, heart to heart.

More benefits of hugging—it’s environmentally friendly. Conserve heat; hug a friend. It’s equal-opportunity. Everybody can give and receive hugs. It’s portable and doesn’t require equipment. You can hug any time, anywhere. It’s all natural, no chemicals, no pesticides, no preservatives. There are no parts to wear out, no warranties to send in, and no insurance requirements. In fact, hugging is the darn-near-perfect activity.

Medical research bears out the health value of hugging. According to Dolores Krieger, R.N., Ph.D., of New York University, when one person hugs or touches another, it raises the level of hemoglobin, bringing healing oxygen to tissues. Scientists have known for decades that infants require touch to develop healthy bodies and minds. Other research shows hugging can slow the onset of senility. From birth to death, we all need hugs.

So start counting. Have you gotten your eight hugs today? More important, have you given eight hugs? Just to be safe, I think I’ll go for twelve.

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