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After Bible studies or other spiritual meetings, I often get hugs from other people and it feels great! But why?

I know this: they found out the hard way that babies in orphanages that are not held and touched will die. It's the truth. They literally just die from lack of being touched. I wonder if we carry this deep body memory all our lives, and that a hug is a nice way to be held, even if for just a little bit of a moment. I wonder if people in "retirement" homes (nursing homes) get deeply depressed because they are seldom touched in a loving way.

I worked long ago as a CNA in a nursing home, and it was a horror of a job. Nurses are absolute angels- especially those who work in nursing homes. I got to the point that I felt like I was working in a warehouse for the unwanted dying people of the world. I tried very hard to pat them, hold their hands, even kiss their cheek if they were long-time patients.

I was feeling really down yesterday, and Wade did something new- he just stroked my pain and stress away with touch. It was loving- not sexual, and it felt so great that all the tension in my body just melted away into oblivion. Unfortunately for him, he now has created a Monster! LOL...I want more. :)

Americans are not really as touchy-feely as are people in some other cultures (I may be wrong about this, but I was told by from my French teacher in High School, who had been around the world).

And getting a hug from Wade is like love heroin...he is 6'3" and can really hug me super great!

But why do we need hugs? Why does it feel so good?

With a twinkle in my eye,

Jai ♥

asked 10 Jan '14, 03:12

Jaianniah's gravatar image

Jaianniah
37.8k13129610

4

2 months ago, typhoon Haiyan hit our place. I am one of the many who were severely affected. I was really down and very low, the feeling was so intense, I refuse to talk, eat, and sleep for 3 days. I was disoriented that time, all I saw was the horror of devastation and horrible death in great number. Days after, Koreans were roaming raising "FREE HUGS" signs. I hugged one of them and cried in agony. They comfort and prayed for me. The experience was a bliss. Yes, there is power in the hug.

(10 Jan '14, 09:27) Romel
2

@Romel - I have seen those folks so many times on Facebook, and wondered what motivated them. Now I get it. I'm so glad someone was there for you, and so glad you decided to take that hug. You needed it.

Sending you another big, warm hug and lots of love (((((((((((((((Romel)))))))))))))))

(10 Jan '14, 10:02) Grace
1

@Romel- My home was badly damaged in Katrina back in 2005, I worked as a volunteer for LIFE of S. Mississippi, and Biloxi was reduced to toothpicks. It was terrible. The houses were spray painted with the number of bodies found inside....The Salvation Army fed us lunch rations from the military. The FEMA trailers everyone desperately needed were late in coming, and people lived in tents and whatever they could find....

(10 Jan '14, 10:25) Jaianniah
1

@Romel- I still have flashbacks from the Hurricane. Not only did I work at Ground Zero, but I had to go home to my own missing roof and other stuff. Like Grace, I send you a huge {{{{{{{{{{{{{{hug}}}}}}}}}}}}} and will pray for you!~ May many blessings come your way. Hang in there.....♥♥♥

(10 Jan '14, 10:28) Jaianniah
1

@Grace- You live up yto your name many times. Blessings to you, too. Hugs and ♥♥♥

(10 Jan '14, 10:31) Jaianniah
2

@Jaianniah - I am very glad that you have Wade giving you the big warm hugs you need as well. Never can have too many so ((((((((((Jai)))))))))) :)

(10 Jan '14, 11:02) Grace
4

The feeling is still fresh for me. In that hug, I like I unloaded all my burdens to them and they like transferred their strength to me and assured me that somebody is there to help us cope and willing to extend a hand.

(11 Jan '14, 00:21) Romel

@IQ Moderator-Why did you make this Community Wiki Question? It was a personal question, with a personal story- I do not understand your reasoning on this one. Will you please explain it to me?

(24 Jan '14, 12:45) Jaianniah
1

@Jaianniah That's odd...the only Wiki tag I see here is on my answer. Could you possibly be mistaking my Wiki answer for your question?

(24 Jan '14, 14:41) Cory
2

@Cory- Yes, I saw that and ass-u-me-d...:) Thank you for straightening me out. I did not know one could make their answers Wiki. I goofed. Thanks- also, this gives me the opportunity to say what a wonderful addition you have been to IQ. I am soooo glad you are here. Your answers are always good ones. Blessings...♥

(24 Jan '14, 15:22) Jaianniah

@Jaianniah You are welcome, and I truly appreciate those kind words:)

(24 Jan '14, 15:25) Cory
showing 0 of 12 show 12 more comments

Sometimes I reflect on the thought that hugs and other body sensations are things that we should really be thankful for .... as I understand things those sensations are only available to us while we are in 'the body'.

link

answered 17 Jan '14, 16:40

Anney's gravatar image

Anney
2416

1

@Anney-Thanks for your great response and thoughtful point. Nobody in Heaven- No Hugs in Heaven!!! LOL! But hugs seem to convey something that cannot be expressed into words. Have you ever noticed that? Perhaps it is a spiritual exchange of energy that uplifts both people....I'll bet Jesus was a good hugger! Thanks, dear...♥♥♥

(21 Jan '14, 14:32) Jaianniah

Sending you some ((((((((( Jaianniah))))))))) !! XX

(21 Jan '14, 16:00) Anney

Maybe because hugging is "Good Medicine."

Hugging Is Good Medicine

Did you hug anyone today? If not, go find someone and hug them. Why you say? Well, who doesn't love a good hug? And rumors has it hugging is good for you, not just because it feels good to get a hug.

It transfers energy and gives the person hugged an emotional lift. You need four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth. Scientists say that hugging is a form of communication because it can say things you don't have the words for. And the nicest thing about a hug is that you usually can't give one without getting one.

So it seems even science agrees hugging is a good thing to do. I wonder how that research was carried out. Did they have people wired up and told them to hug to see what happened? I hope so. Would've loved to be a part of that research project.

No hugging yet? Still need some more reasons before you go over to your next door neighbor for a cuddle? Ok, here we go; 9 reasons for why hugging is actually good medicine;

  • Hugs are so much like meditation and laughter. They teach us to let go and be present in the moment. They encourage us to flow with the energy of life. Hugs get you out of your circular thinking patterns and connect you with your heart and your feelings and your breath. Go hug someone!

  • The energy exchange that happens between the two people is like an investment into the relationship between the huggers. The more you invest, the better the relationship. Go get yourself a hug.

  • Believe it or not, a good hug (skin to skin) can actually help balance your nervous system. (get naked and) go hug!

  • Hugging is almost like a good massage, because it relaxes your muscles and releases tension in your body. The blood flow to your soft tissue increases. Almost like a little workout, maybe you could hug between your squats?

  • Anytime someone touches you, you feel better (maybe except if it's a slap?), and it actually boosts your self esteem. A hug does the same, so get hugging before that important interview and you'll be glowing with self esteem.

  • The longer you hold the hug, the better. It releases serotonin and you get happier and less moody. So when you've got someone locked in your arms, don't let go of that hug!!

  • If you feel angry, lonely and isolated, get a hug. If you are on an isolated psychiatric ward, you might be wearing a strap jacket, which means you'll be hugging yourself. I don't think these hugs count, but at least it's better than nothing. Ask the shrink that's looking after you for a hug, maybe?

  • Hugging gives you a sense of safety. This is probably why people who are in scary situations, just hug each other (false sense of security perhaps?). So, next time your airplane is about to crash land, hug the person next to you. At least you'll feel safe.

  • Last, but not least, hugging boosts your immune system. It's due to the pressure on the sternum and it regulates your body's production of white blood cells and it keeps you happy and healthy. Go hug someone now!

Hugging is Good Medicine Link

link
This answer is marked "community wiki".

answered 23 Jan '14, 14:49

Cory's gravatar image

Cory
15.4k21971

Hugging is a sharing and integration of Positive Life Force Energy. Negative energy runs through us all, but when we hug another person or object with the intention to share and release positive energy, we will receive such energy in return, regardless of our egotistical interpretations to the contrary, or to the frequency we place upon those that we hug. All exchange is a positive exchange if the heart is pure in its intention.

link

answered 30 Jan '14, 01:51

TGunn's gravatar image

TGunn
1.3k213

@TGunn- I believe this, too. Thank you for your answer! ♥

(30 Jan '14, 01:56) Jaianniah
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