Hug Therapy: Turning Your Love Loop into a Healing Chain

Most parents recognize even from their earliest days of caring for their children that touch is crucial to soothing, consoling, and bonding with their babies. For most, such nurturing interaction is both natural and rewarding. For some, especially those whose own parents were less forthcoming with affection, hugs are challenging. Beyond that, many people find themselves aging out of a hugging program. As they age, fewer people offer hugs and the love loop each of us needs to grow diminishes.

A love loop is exactly what it sounds like it should be. Consider the “O” representing hugs in the common symbol for “hugs and kisses”: OX. Imagine the meaning behind it. As I contemplate this, an image of me hugging my own children surfaces. Arms wrapped around them, an O encircling them, I share silently the love that reverberates through me for them. And I receive the same from them. We are loops in link, a chain of continuity that heals, soothes, and comforts.

You’d be surprised how much research recently has gone into the power and necessity of hugs. Perhaps due partly to the tremendous shutdown most of us experienced in 2020 and beyond, interest in the cruciality of human connection grows constantly. In fact, researchers have found that hugs, along with other types of non sexual, intimate touch are significant tools for healing, promoting growth, and lowering stress.

Among the data coming to light through such research are these observations:

• The average hug last only 3 seconds.

• 4 hugs a day can help keep a person alive, when all else is equal.

• 8 hugs a day are necessary for health maintenance..

• 12 hugs a day can promote growth and healing.

• 20 second hugs are ideal for lowering cortisol levels due to stress and raising oxytocin

  (the love hormone) levels.

This mind boggling revelation comes at a time when the entire world seems confused about the

best practices for human interaction. With very real concerns regarding personal space, issues

of consent, and contagious situations, easy hug therapy may seem hard to come by, but there

are a few things that you can do to bring the love loop back into your life or to strengthen it:

• Give a Hug.

• Accept a Hug.

• Cultivate Relationships.

• Giving and Receiving Go Together

Even if you’re new to the hugging notion, chances are good that you know others who would happily receive a hug. To be certain they are open to close contact, simply ask, “May I hug you?” In my experience, very few people decline and many are thrilled to receive and return the healing power of close, intimate contact. In keeping with the etiquette of asking, remember the needs of the people you offer hugs. Hold each embrace until your hug partner signals readiness to disengage.

Just as hugs should be frequent and long, the best hugs involve true heart-to-heart contact. For best results, according to your own feelings of safety and comfort, avoid “the side hug” when hoping to engage the love loop for ultimate therapeutic benefits. Researchers have observed that one heart beat can help to regulate another, providing further significant health benefits to anyone who gives and/receives serious hugs.

If you aren’t sure whom to hug, you might consider volunteering for people in various states of need. Not all of us have spouses, children, parents, and or close friends to invite for hugs. Cultivating relationships at home might be your first step, but there are other ways to find huggable friends as well. Consider volunteering and/or joining groups with members who may be at a similar deficit. If you’ve ever visited a geriatric center, for instance, you may have noticed that many residents in such places watch the doors for visitors. Helping out, bringing treats, even just coming to sit for conversation can be an excellent way to reach out for hug therapy that improves your life as well as theirs.

If human hugs are still a challenge for you, consider bringing a pet into your life. Most dogs and cats are extremely receptive to affection and perfectly willing to show loving owners constant appreciation. While human hugs are exceptional, animal hugs can deliver many of the same benefits to all involved.

Further Reading:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/keep-it-in-mind/202201/what-20-seconds-hugging-can-do-you?amp