I Hug You; You Hug Me.

I still don’t know why the highest form of intimacy we feel is somehow related to touch. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not overselling the power of a touch. All I’m saying a touch can be reassuring, firm, tender and just enough.

Welcome to Episode 9 of One Thing You Don’t Have to Know and this is my attempt to give you a virtual hug.

There’s such a thing as self-hug. It’s being there for yourself when no one else is.

Apparently, hugs are as old as a language that has gone extinct. The word ‘hug’ is from the Old Norse language ‘hugga’ which means ‘to comfort’. If my grammar is still sound, comfort is given to those who mourn, who grieve, are sick and are going through a tough time. Hugs primarily were given for comfort.

Look at how it has evolved. I hope the Scandinavians [they coined this term of endearment] alive today can see how they have positively affected the world.

Today, hugs are not only to comfort. We show affection with hugs. We greet with hugs. We share excitement with hug. If I’m ever asked to make a list of 10 things I love more than life itself, I’m certain hugs will make that list.

There’s a 20-second rule for hugs for a healthy life. Science knows how to research important things and yes, they have some good stuff on hugs. Hugs releases oxytocin — a hormone that relaxes us, takes away anxiety and makes us feel good. When you obey this 20-second hug rule, it can lower blood pressure and reduce the stress hormone.

And if there’s no one around, self-hugging is a thing.

According to my research, this is the dose for hugs:

4 hugs per day for survival

8 hugs per day for maintenance

12 hugs per day for growth.

Hugs are one of the things I look forward to enjoying after this #covid19 season.