Do you remember seeing a YouTube video of a man on a busy
sidewalk holding a sign offering “Free Hugs”? At first people were skeptical
and ignored him. Then a few people took him up on his offer and found it was a
bargain. They took/gave a hug, and they cashed in on a surge of serotonin. They
replenished their “happy hormone.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4)
Everyone needs hugs and touching to maintain serotonin
levels, so be eager to hug friends and family—and, even your pets (except
fish).
Hugging relaxes muscles, releases tension in the body, lifts
the spirit, and can even diminish pain.
I read about a professional cuddler in Portland, Washington,
who is building a business based on hugs. Charging $35 per half hour and $60
per hour, she is booked out for two weeks at a time. While this might not be
the best or safest idea, it does show how desperate people are to be hugged by
someone.
Though the Bible gives us no command to “hug” one another, it
is full of people kissing those they love. (Do a search for “kiss.”) And it
does give us a command of sorts to “greet one another a holy kiss.” Maybe the
next time we go to a church service, we should hold up a sign offering “Free
Kisses.” And then, maybe not…
When my kids come home to visit, I wrap my arms around them
and hold tightly and hold tightly and hold tightly. They say, “Mom, you give
the best hugs!” And “Mom, I miss your hugs.” I like that. I want to be
remembered as a good hugger.
And the best part is that the huggER and the
huggEE both benefit. What you give comes back to you. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Some say we need eight hugs a day to meet our emotional,
mental and physical needs. I have no idea what the magic number is. I want to
give/receive as many as I can. How many have you given/received today? How
about giving a few more?
