65. Power of a Hug

Families often show their love and support through heart-felt hugs. This becomes noticeably special when we are feeling low and despondent. In my case, I feel a warm smile break out when a hug is least expected … which is most of the time as I don’t see it coming! When I heard, ‘a hug communicates more powerfully than a lecture’, it made so much sense…considering that actions speak louder than words.

A loving touch stimulates the ‘feel good’ hormone oxytocin. This is the nourishing and healing ingredient that costs nothing and instead benefits both the giver and the receiver. The importance of this one basic human need has been demonstrated well during the recent global pandemic. Avoidance of touching another person because of the social distancing rule had left millions of people feeling alone. Its negative after effects, are especially evidenced in younger children currently in many countries, who tend to struggle with their social skills. Could this result in many less confident, happy and balanced individuals?

A warm hug means so many things depending on who is giving it. When a parent hugs a child, it conveys a sense of protection, safety, tenderness, belonging, unconditional love, amongst so many other emotions. This seems to get imprinted into our psyche, because these nourishing emotions surface every time we give or receive a gentle hug from others too! All the worries, tension and stress can dissipate with this simple reminder that we are loved.