The Art of Hugging

When I greet a friend or family member, I give the person a hug to show the person I either love or care about him/her. I have experienced many types of hugs; from tight squeezes to lite pats on the back. I made a commitment last week to give 1 person a hug every day for the next month. The first person I gave a hug to told me that I give great hugs. I reflected on this comment, and I thought, this person would probably not have wanted a hug from me 25 years ago. I will admit I could barely hug a person when I became an adult. My family rarely gave hugs during my childhood. It was my boyfriend and now husband Tom who taught me to hug people; he was persistent in making me hug him every day. I learned to enjoy giving him hugs. He taught me the meaning of hugging and showing someone you care.

I wondered how this topic fits in with Reiki, Sound Therapy and energy healing. My husband Tom said hugs are an exchange of energy between two people. We hug someone to show love, whether it is between friends, family members and/ or lovers. Some people talk or sigh when they hug, which creates vibrations between the two people.
Scientists have done numerous studies on the benefits of hugging: when you hug someone it releases Oxytocin, also known as ‘the cuddle hormone.’ Psychologists also say that Oxytocin promotes feelings of devotion, trust and bonding. Hugging has been proven to directly fight feelings of loneliness as well as improving one’s health conditions by lowering blood pressure and decreasing heart disease. Hugging is one the best types of touch to express our feelings for others.