Have you ever noticed, in city centers or other popular central places, people hugging each other? This is called the «Free Hugs» phenomenon. According to Virginia Satir, guru in family consulting, a person needs 4 hugs to survive, 8 hugs to sustain oneself and 12 hugs to be developed...per day! This is hard to believe, isn’t it? In our times, the times of isolation, how much do we hug each other?
Feeling another’s person skin is vital for our mental and physical health. The results of a research conducted by the University of Arkansas show that hugs increase the levels of a protein that circulates in our blood called haemoglobin, which results in our feeling, euphoria, whereas it also helps us deal with our fears. A few more beneficial effects that hugs have on us are the following: they help us relax, relieve us from tension and help us sleep better.
Through hugs we are supported to perceive and comprehend our feelings while also we have the sense of belonging. They are much safer than drugs, nicotine and alcohol and they require no special equipment!
In some cases a hug can save a life. On September, the news about a couple who brought back into life their newborn child was spread around the world. The infant was diagnosed clinically dead, after the doctors had tried to keep it alive for more than 20 minutes. The parents took him on their hands, hugged him and for two hours they were talking to him about how much they loved him and how many exciting things they would do together in the future. The parents’ bodies worked as an incubator for the infant and he was soon brought back to life. This event overthrew any previous medical facts. It is regarded as a miracle that the now six-month old Jamie from Australia is alive.
Another popular hug is the one given by Brielle to her twin sister Kyrie at Massachusetts, USA, in 1995. They were both born weighting less than a kilo but especially Kyrie was very frail. She was crying all the time and could not calm down. A nurse, ignoring the hospital’s protocol placed both twin sisters in the same incubator and after that Kyrie’s heart pulse was normal and she stopped crying. During the next few days her overall health also improved. Their photo known as the «rescuing hug» is among the top touching photos in the world.
Yes. A hug is good for our health and our soul. How can you make it part of your everyday life? The first step is to inform your family, friends and colleagues about the beneficial effects of a hug. You can even give them this article to read. Then you just ask for it: «Can I hug you?» It is better when you hug the other person to place your left cheek on the left cheek of the person you hug. This way your heart also «touches» the other person’s heart! There is no reason to clinch the other; Just take two deep breaths while hugging and take advantage of your between silence for exchanging positive energy. Then, relax, smile and look into the other person’s eyes.
In the end, just enjoy the feeling! Have many pleasant huggings!
Be Unique!
Jill Douka
Jill Douka supports people to take action, feel secure and get the greatest value from their future. She is a coach, workshop leader and author, lives in Athens, Greece, next to the sea, working with clients from 3 continents. She is the founder of http://www.uniquenessdevelopmentgroup.com