So Much In A Hug
Posted by terrepruitt on November 24, 2015
A year or so ago, maybe even longer, I saw a book in the library and I asked my husband if I could borrow it. The “library” being his shelves and shelves of books. I’ve had it for sometime now. I know that it was in my office for me to read, then I moved it to my nightstand thinking I would read it there. I did not. I moved it back to my office. And just now, looking for something to write, I see it tucked under some envelopes. And I open it up and the first page is about “a dance of joy and love”. I love that. I have picked the book up a couple of times and glanced at a few pages, but I never looked at that one, at this one, at the first one. How perfect is that? What a sweet thought, “we are all holding each other through a dance of joy and love.”
This book was copyrighted in 1983. The page title “The Theory” talks about how various experiments have shown that tough can help. Help by making us feel better, not just about out selves, but about our surroundings. And how hugs can help in children’s language development and IQ. And that the positive effects for both the hugger and the huggee.
So people knew how great hugs were by 1983. I understand how everyone is different in there need and desire to hear about scientific evidence or “proof” of things, but I feel that most people after having experienced a true, caring hug would freely admit that they can see how it can be a good thing. I don’t think that science is really needed. Just get a hug. Or even give a hug. And I think the proof is in the embrace.
It seems that we all feel better when we feel connected. Not only do we FEEL better but our bodies respond to that. Our immune systems appear to get stronger. I know that I feel better after a hug. A real hug. I am not sure if I mentioned it, but when I took my Nia Blue Belt Intensive, one of the trainers would start the day by hugging each and every one of us. She would do it before we started the training. It was the first thing she did when she saw you. She is a small woman but she would hug you with her whole entire being. I always felt as if I was being embrace by a bear. I always thought it was so odd because she was so small yet her hugs were sooooo huge. It was one of the best parts of the intensive. Those were REAL hugs.
I believe those kinds of hugs have the real healing power. The heart-felt meaningful hugs.
So if you think hugs are healing and are a good thing, you might want to check out this book so you can become a “Hug Therapist”. It is cute and fun loving. Looking on Amazon seems that the author wrote a Hug Therapy 2 and a Love Therapy book. Not sure what that is about.
I am a firm believer in hugs. How about you? Do hugs make you feel better? Are you a hugger?
Info regard immune system:
Terre Pruitt's Blog 
Liv said
I love that image! My friend used to say we needed 7 hugs a day to stay healthy. I think she got it from this quote: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/v/virginiasa175185.html …but yes, pro hug camp over here! 🙂
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terrepruitt said
It is cute, huh? The drawings in the book are by Mimi Noland. I probably should have mentioned that. They are super cute. A bunch of bears hugging.
I have heard that before:
“We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” ― Virginia Satir
Do hugs we GIVE count? And do hugs we GIVE our pets count? Either way, I need to up my number of hugs!!!
I know you are in the pro hug camp because you accept my hugs when I see you! Hug hello, for the weekend. Hug goodbye until next month. Oh. I should have hugged you double this past time. Well, I will have to hug you double in January!
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Betty Galloway said
Definitely a hugger! And I thought hugging was a global Nia thing! We are all about it here in Baltimore for sure!
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terrepruitt said
🙂 I have never thought about hugging being a Nia thing. I don’t hug everyone at Nia gatherings. But I do hug my friends whether it is at Nia or other places. 🙂
Hugs to you, Betty!
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