Are you a Hugger?

Beth is the author of one of my favorites blogs called My Life Starts at Forty-two.
She wrote a post about being a "hugger". She pointed out the interesting reactions of people when hugged.

Like Beth, I too am a hugger and sometimes crave a hug. Whether it is because I had a bad day or just want to feel close to someone, I find myself asking for a hug. The secure feeling when wrapped in someone's arms is such a pleasurable feeling. I grew up in a family that hugged often and I have always shared hugs with my son....and I hug my dog too!

I think it's an important way to show many feelings. Love, understanding, joy of seeing someone, reassurance, support, comfort, happiness.

I used to see only women exchanging hugs with each other, but more and more, I see men greeting each other with a quick hug. I have to admit, I love to see that men are now getting more comfortable with showing this kind of expression.

We all need hugs from time to time.

I found an interesting site about hugging at Georgia Girl. There were great uplifting messages about hugging on this site. I wanted to share a few with you.

Hope you enjoy them and keep hugging !

This is a picture from an article called, "The Rescuing Hug."


The article details the first week of life of a set of twins. Apparently, each were in their respective incubators, and one was not expected to live. A hospital nurse fought against the hospital rules and placed the babies in one incubator. When they were placed together, the healthier of the two threw an arm over her sister in an endearing embrace. The smaller baby's heart rate stabilized and her temperature rose to normal.
They both survived, and are thriving! In fact, now that the two girls are home, they still sleep together, and still snuggle. The hospital changed their policy after they saw the effect of putting the two girls together, and now they bed multiples together.

Ensign magazine May '98 pg. 94
Adapted from the Readers Digest article
"A Sister's Helping Hand" May 1996 Pp. 155-56



A DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION FOR HUGGING:
by Mark Katz, M.D., Member of L.A. Shanti's Advisory Board

"How important are hugging and physical and emotional contact for people affected by life - threatening illnesses? In my work, I have found that people who receive nurturing maintain a better outlook on their situation -- and historically, positive attitude is an important factor in long-term survival. Hugging and physical contact make a difference in a person's frame of mind, and may help their medical condition. Best of all, hugging has no side effects and does not require a trip to the doctor.

Hugging is good medicine. It transfers energy, and gives the person hugged an emotional boost. You need four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth. A hug makes you feel good. The skin is the largest organ we have and it needs a great deal of care. A hug can cover a lot of skin and gives the message that you care. It is also a form of communication. It can say things you don't have words for. The nicest thing about a hug is that you usually can't give one without getting one.



Hugging is healthy: it helps the body's immunity system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it's invigorating, it's rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects, and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.

-- Sharon Lindsey --

AND,...animals also engage in similar exchanges of warmth.