The power of hug

I’ve recently got back in touch with my hugging self. I used to hug a lot, and somehow without noticing, cut back on it. This is good news – the benefits of touching are well documented. I know someone who deliberately ensures her hand connects with any cashier who gives her change – most of us intentionally or not avoid making that kind of contact with other humans. (and yet are perfectly happy to reach down to pat my over-excitable and in some ways scary looking Staffie. How odd!) 

One of the most moving moments in my life was a day when I was feeling quite down, and a busy someone (whom I didn’t know particularly well) passed me in the street and stopped to say "hi" and as she left casually touched my arm – I still cry now when I recall that moment, as it was such a brief gesture that she may not even have realised she was doing it, but it had such an impact on me.

In my work roles we have a very clear “hands off” approach which I understand (we do talk a lot about the power of "skin-to-skin" tho!) Outside of that, I am definitely a touchy feely kind of person – it’s a way of connecting almost constantly with my children, with other people I love dearly, and (when I’m in a good mood) with complete strangers too, who for all I know, may not have had anyone else touch them all day. I’m mindful, mainly, but it’s also such a wonderful uninhibited way of showing someone that they matter. And of course, I often get a hug back – win win :D