Hugs

Did you have a hug today? Experts say that “Four Hugs a Day Keeps the Doctor Away”.Can you remember when was the last time you hugged somebody or somebody hugged you? Think for a moment, how did it feel when you were being hugged?

There are different types of hugs. There are ‘I love you’ hugs, ‘I’m sorry’ hugs, ‘I missed you’ hugs, ‘Welcome home’ hugs, ‘I need you’ hugs, ‘Thank you’ hugs, ‘You look like you need a hug’ hug and so on. When we were kids the hugs came and went more easily. We hugged our father, mother, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunties, grandma, and grandpa. As we grew up, we hugged our close friends and our date. Or when some of us became parents we hugged our kids and they hugged us back. Gradually, we realized we didn’t hug someone we should and didn’t like to hug them anymore. To some of us, hugging didn’t come that easily because we were not brought up that way or may be we blamed it to our culture. Or some people just didn’t buy in by this hugging business.Hugs are much more than simply squeezing someone with your arms. By wrapping someone up in a hug you are transferring the feelings of warmth, safety, kindness, need, want, longing, concern and even love onto the hug. Hugging is a good way to show our appreciation, love, care, security and for making amends. It is healthy because it helps the body’s immunity system, keeps you healthier, cures depression, reduces stress, induces sleep, and it’s invigorating, rejuvenating and has no unpleasant side effects. Now don’t belittle this hugging business Hugging is like a miracle drug. Hug and make up. Ever experienced that?

I have a memorable incident how a working relationship was amended through a hug. Many years ago I had a boss whom I think did not see eye-to-eye with me. I don’t know why. Well, it’s a long story. One day both of us attended a management seminar. On the final day of the seminar, the trainer said that it was a confession time. It was a time for you to say thank you or say sorry. After the “confession”, if you accept the person, give him or her a hug or hand shake. So I took this opportunity to go up to my boss and say sorry even though I was not totally wrong and thanks him for his guidance. It’s alright to give in at the right time. Oh, mind, my boss burst into tears and both of us were in tears. And we agreed on a hug. Can you imagine what my feeling was? I was so relieved. A rock, not a stone, was let down from my heart. I feel this miracle drug everyday when my children hug me and I hug them. The love and bonds with my children are closer and stronger through hugging. I feel so good, especially when they hug me.

Basically you may hug anyone that is receptive of the hug but I don’t want you to misunderstand and take advantage and start hugging anybody. I bet you will get into trouble.

I would love to share with you a bookmark my best friend sent me many years ago regarding the Truth about Hugs:

1) There is no such thing as a bad hug, only good ones and great ones

2) Hugs are cholesterol-free, naturally sweet, 100% wholesome, non- fattening and they don’t cause cancer

3) Hugs are safe in all kind of weather and … in fact they are especially good for cold and rainy days

4) Hugs are exceptionally effective in treating problems like bad dreams or Monday blues.

5) Hugs are easy to care for, as they don’t need batteries or x-ray.

6) Hugs are non-taxable and returnable.

How much do hugs cost? Real hugs, physical hugs are free to give and receive. It takes only a moment to give a hug. A hugs life isn’t short- lived. The effects can last all day and lingering memory has been known to last for years.

Never wait until tomorrow to hug someone who deserves it and you could hug today, because when you give one, you get one right back. Just remember, Four Hugs a Day Keeps the Doctor Away.

Cheers! :)