Hugging is medicine for the body, mind, spirit

We can express our love in many ways. We can say, “I love you,” or show our love by spending time with a person, or expressing our love in a caring way. Hugging is another way we can manifest our love and concern physically.

An unknown author said, “Hugging is good medicine. It transfers energy, and gives a person an emotional boost. 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 can give the message that you care. It is also a form of communication. It can express what we want to say or how we feel better than words. The nicest thing about a hug is that you cannot usually give one without getting one.”

In this age when people are concerned about providing safe environments for our young people and those who are vulnerable to abuse, we need to know our boundaries and some guidelines for hugging:

1) Be compassionate, not passionate – show comfort and caring.

2) Ask for permission. Hugging requires a sender and receiver. Accept the fact that hugging is not for everyone. This is especially true of people who have been sexually or physically abused. For them, we must build a relationship of trust over time. This is simply respecting where another person is in life.

3) Ask permission when you need a hug. Hugging is a form of sharing. If you need a hug, simply ask for one. If you receive a hug, let the sender know you are appreciative. Take responsibility for expressing what you need.

Hugs can also be a form of healing. Dr. Mark Katz says, “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. Historically, a positive attitude is an important factor in long-term survival. Hugging and physical contacts 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. I recommend at least one hug a day.”

Hugging is also healthy. It helps the body’s immunity system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it is invigorating and it is rejuvenating. It has no unpleasant side effects. Hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug and it is all natural. It is organic, naturally sweet, it has no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients and is 100 percent wholesome.

Hugging is practically perfect. There are no movable parts, no batteries to replace, no periodic checkups. Hugs have low energy consumption, high energy yield, is inflation-proof, nonfattening, has no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, is theft-proof, non-taxable, non-polluting and is, of course, fully refundable.

Hugs are not only delightful. We need them. Hugs can relieve pain and depression. It can make the healthier happier, and the most secure even more so. Hugging feels good and overcomes fear. It provides stretching exercise for short people and stooping exercise for tall people. Hugging does not upset the environment. It saves heat and energy and requires no special equipment. Hugging makes happy days happier and impossible days possible.

Mother Theresa of Calcutta once said, “Spread love wherever you go. First in your own house. Let no one come to you without leaving better and happier. By the living expression of God’s kindness – kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.” Hugging is one way to do that!