Sunday, May 3, 2020

I NEED A HUG!!!


Yep!  I do!  I need food; I need shelter; I need fresh air; and I NEED A HUG!!!!  Us Southern folk quite often greet each other with a big ole’ hug.  In fact, if you aren’t the touchy-feely kind, you probably don’t need to live down south. 
And one of the worst parts of this Corona Virus quarantine/isolation/social distancing is….WE AREN'T SUPPOSED TO HUG ANYBODY!!!  Of course, I guess it isn’t a problem if you aren’t even seeing anybody!
Anywho!!!  I got to thinking about HUGS and decided to do some research.  (I often do that…research strange random subjects!!!)  I found some quite interesting information and thought I’d share with you…just in case you are a HUGGER (like me)!


To quote a physiotherapist:  The word ‘hug’ is believed to come from the word ‘hugga’, meaning ‘to comfort’ in the Old Norse language, first appearing approximately 450 years ago in Scandinavia.

The act of hugging relates to the fundamental need for touch.  Just like we need food, water, and shelter, we need human touch to thrive.  "In recent years, a wave of studies has documented some incredible emotional and physical health benefits that come from touch. This research is suggesting that touch is truly fundamental to human communication, bonding, and health." https://www.khca.org/files/2015/10/8-Reasons-Why-We-Need-Human-Touch-More-Than-Ever.pdf



I guess that’s why HUGGING  is such a big part of our culture including:
*Greeting friends and family
*As a ‘goodbye’
*Congratulating someone
*To console someone or show support
*Before sports and performance teams begin their game/competition

Research has shown that HUGS/touches are very beneficial for children & adolescents:
*Students that have received a supportive touch from teachers are twice as likely to raise their hands in class
*A sympathetic touch by a doctor gives patients an impression that their appointment lasted twice as long as it did
*Teams that are more ‘touchy’ perform better, even at world-class levels, than those who do not make physical contact as often... (so that's what's up with all the butt slapping!)
*Physical touch found to correlate with reduced pain and symptoms of depression

And for adults touching can:
*lower blood pressure
*boost immune system
*reduce stress
I could use all the above...especially these days!!!


So….HUGGING allows people to feel happy, connected, and healthy.  And what’s more….HUGS ARE FREE!!!  



Yep!  I need a hugA BIG 'OLE BEAR HUG!!!  And you’d better believe when all this virus/no-hugging stuff is over, I’m probably going to be hugging everybody I see.  So if you see me coming and you don’t want me to grab you, you’d better run the other way.


How about you?  Do you need a HUG???



15 comments:

  1. Funny, I posted about hugging today too:) I am a HUGGER and not sure how I will handle this NON-HUGGING thing! Enjoy your day dear friend, sending a big HUG your way!

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    1. Guess we'll have to do virtual hugs for awhile...or pantomime one when we see someone we want to hug:)

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  2. I can't even hug Rick. We have to keep distance. Oh, I need a hug big time. I haven't touched a living thing since mid-March, apart from Lizzie. Someday I hope we all get so many hugs it is an embarrassment of riches.

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    1. Oh, Jeanie, so do I. And so sorry you can't hug your Rick. Just throw him a lot of kisses (although that's not the same:)

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  3. I just read something about our culture changing because of this virus...no handshaking, and I'm going to say that hugs will be limited to family. My boss hates to be touched but said when this is over and the surgery staff is back she will hug us all. We're back but nobody wants anyone to touch them! Ha!

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    1. Yes...I keep hearing how we will never get back to "normal". I can't imagine a world with no handshaking, no hugging of friends, etc. I've been hearing and reading a lot lately about "conspiracy". Soooooo very difficult to know who or what to believe!

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  4. We are big huggers in our family, too. Distancing has been hard for all of us..and pretty scary as we are the epicenter for Wisconsin (our small county). Stay safe-xo Diana

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    1. Oh, dear. Wonder why some places have it worse than others. This whole mess is strange, strange, strange...and sad!

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  5. Oh, my goodness, I could have written this post as well. I am such a hugger and am beyond hungry for some. Thankfully we've never stopped seeing our son and his family and we all hug each other. We are suppose to enter our new normal on the 15th and hopefully our governor will not do anything to extend it again. I'm over it!!!! Have a great new week!

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    1. Lea, I am soooo over this mess too!!! At least I did break down and get my hair cut and colored this past week! I do feel better:)

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  6. HUGS are awesome but at this time you have to decide to hug or not to hug, that is the question. HAHA. I have been missing those hugs, heck I miss just having dinner with a friend.

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  7. Pam, I'm thankful for my hubby but I sure do miss my girlfriends! Can't wait to go out to lunch with them again. Stay well and safe!

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Please stop and "chat" with me...I love hearing what you have to say!