Have you hugged your child today? It was a popular catchphrase that was coined in 1969. I think it’s time to change the phrase to: Have you hugged your loved one today?
Most couples report that the shallow kiss when greeting or leaving is their most consistent form of affection outside of sex. Is not sufficient. We should Never make mistakes or substitute sex for affection. The affection expressed through hugs is therapeutic and satisfies our basic human need to touch or be touched. It also relaxes us and lowers our blood pressure. In essence, loving touches can enhance and prolong our lives.
In fact, couples should try harder to be affectionate with each other. Those who do tend to report greater harmony, a closer bond, and less conflict in their relationships.
In his book Touch: the human meaning of skin, Dr. Ashley Montagu examines the importance of touch in all aspects of human development. Through an analysis of the study of the behaviors of mammals, monkeys, apes and humans, he concludes that just as respiration is a basic physical need for these species, touch is a basic behavioral need and when this need remains unsatisfied, the abnormal behavior is a likely result. . He writes:
“Both the hugger and the person they hug benefit because they have the immediate positive result of feeling good. Hugs are comforting and can have the effect of leaving one full of energy and rejuvenation. A hug from a caregiver accurately expresses to a child feelings of love, acceptance, comfort and desire for closeness “.
He continues.
“Hugging improves health because it reduces tension and stress, helps the immune system, helps sleep, helps build self-esteem, and best of all, it has no negative side effects. When we open our hearts and arms to others, we inspire them to do the same. “
Former late-night talk show host Arsenio Hall made the “man hug” acceptable. He greeted his guests, both male and female, with a warm hug. It set the tone for the intimate conversations that followed. His guests seemed oblivious to the cameras and studio audience as they revealed information about themselves to Arsenio that they likely wouldn’t reveal to another talk show host. The same goes for Oprah Winfrey. Your warm embrace is not only welcoming, but comforting to your guests.
There are many types of hugs that occur in different situations. The hugs you see at airports tend to be longer. Hugs given to people you haven’t seen in a while tend to be more enthusiastic. Romantic-inspired hugs tend to be more intense and sometimes reverse (one person from behind wraps the other with their arms), which carries sexual overtones. Then there’s the side hug, which is essentially a one-arm hug that shows kindness and acceptance.
No matter what kind of hug you give or receive, a hug is a hug and carries emotional benefits. In fact, hugging is so therapeutic that there is a National Hug Day (January 21) that was created in 1986 by the Rev. Kevin Zaborney of Caro, Michigan. Zaborney created the day to promote “the emotional benefits of hugging.”
Now you know that hugs are therapeutic pills that we can prescribe for each other. They provide our souls with the nutrients of affection that we all need for our mental health and emotional well-being. Taking the time or making the effort to give more hugs is clearly a rewarding experience for both the person giving it and the person receiving it.
Have you hugged your loved one today? If not, there is no better time than the present.