“OH! THESE BAJAN MEN don’t like to hug up” is a common complaint among women in relationships with men.
Well, the young woman who falls truly in love with my son will never have to complain about him and hugging – it is a natural expression which he easily undertakes because it is a family tradition.
My son will often say, “Mummy, give me a hug.” I would sometimes respond, “Akinola, what do you want – ’cause I have no money! He always responds, “Mummy, I don’t want anything, I just want to hug you,” and we lovingly wrap our arms around each other. This week the spotlight shines on hugging.
Hugging is an awesome healing tool given to us by the Creator. I hope that our country doesn’t become a hugless society because I have observed that people are afraid to hug and some view hugging as a negative, suggestive sexual gesture.
Others become enraged when you try to hug them. Therefore we must ensure that we are educated to appreciate hugging so that it is never replaced by handshakes.
I especially remember the hugs received from my father and the sincere embraces we received from Father George Harewood as we filed out after church at St Luke’s Anglican.
Those particular hugs build trust and a sense of security. On the other hand, the hugs from my husband are breathtaking and always cause me to melt.
On the website www.mindbodygreen.com the following are advanced as some health benefit of hugging: research shows that hugging (and also laughter) is extremelyeffective for healing.
A proper deep hug, where hearts are pressing together, can benefit you in many ways
(1) The nurturing touch of a hug builds trust and a sense of safety. This helps with open and honest communication.
(2) Hugs can instantly boost oxytocin levels, which heal feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger. Hugging for an extended time lifts one’s serotonin levels, elevating mood and creating happiness.
(3) Hugs strengthen the immune system.
(4) Hugging boosts self-esteem and connects us to our ability to love ourselves.
(5) Hugging relaxes muscles and soothes aches by increasing circulation in soft tissues.
(6) Hugs can balance out the nervous system: parasympathetic.
(7)?Hugs teach us how to give and receive, and how love flows both ways
(8) Hugs teach us to let go and be in the moment.
Practise hugging, laughing and singing with your spouses, friends, family and children for the rest of the year.
If you are not hugging, you are missing an amazing phenomenon.
Annette Maynard-Watson, a teacher and herbal educator, may be contacted via silentdoctors@gmail.com or by telephone 250-6450.
DISCLAIMER: It is not our intention to prescribe or make specific health claims for any products. Any attempt to diagnose and treat real illness should come under the direction of your health care professional.
