Living In Gratitude: Hugs
You can’t wrap love in a box, but you can wrap a person in a hug.
Social distancing. Two words that are now indelible parts of our nomenclature.
Although social separation is very important for all of us to engage in right now for the health of our nation, as social creatures, humans thrive on touch. Our emotional, mental and physical wellbeing is nourished when we connect with others. And hugs are one of the best ways to make us feel connected to someone else.
Studies show that adults and children alike need between three and five hugs a day. And now more than ever, those hugs are vital and mostly virtual.
A hug is one of the most basic and powerful ways humans connect through touch. A positive exchange of energy, a hug creates a connection that cannot be expressed in words.
- We have ‘hello’ hugs and ‘goodbye’ hugs.
- We celebrate with a “congratulations!” hug.
- Hugs show appreciation and support.
- Hugs make us feel safe, secure and loved.
- They can lift our spirits and make us smile.
- Hugs can help us heal, break down barriers and allow us to feel understood with no exchange of words.
Hugs don’t need new equipment, special batteries or parts – just open up your arms and open up your hearts. ~Jill Wolf
For those of us who are sheltering in place with family, be sure to spread the love around, especially if you are all well and healthy. Hugs will help elevate mood, which contributes to our overall wellbeing.
If you or someone you know is living alone during this time, find ways to reach out virtually. Show how much you care by taking time to call, FaceTime or even run errands for those who are unable to do so.
Another idea is to mail a virtual hug, something that will be especially appreciated by a grandparent or even your child’s best friend. Have your child lay down on a large piece of craft paper with their arms spread. Draw an outline of them and then have them color it in. Or, have them create a drawing of them hugging the person to whom they will be mailing the picture.
Hugs are powerful.
Oh I love hugging. I wish I was an octopus, so I could hug 10 people at a time. ~Drew Barrymore
Someday very soon, we will be grateful to once again use our arms to wrap everyone we love in big bear hugs.
