To Hug Or NOt to Hug -- Is that even a question?

Regan Barnes, Momivate's ChairMom of the MotherBoard, shares her insights on hugs and random thoughts about hugs that she's gathered over the years.

Photo Credit: Marco Bianchetti on Unsplash.com

As I was growing up, hugging didn't happen much in my family. My mom had been molested by her step-father, so her subconscious reaction was to respect her children's personal space, to the point where we just didn't hug. Then my older sister learned in a college class about the importance of hugging and how this physical act has many benefits—even psychologically! So she started hugging. She put up a "Free Hugs" sign in her dormitory. And when she came home for the holidays, she would hug us, somewhat awkwardly, convinced that she could change our family's ways so we could all gain the promised blessings of embracing. Of course, hugging is best when it's a two-way thing, so most of us hugged her back, playing along. If she patted us on the back during the hug, we would emit a burp as though we were babies who had swallowed air while feeding. I'm glad she got us started hugging because I married into a hugging family (though they don't appreciate the fake burps). 

Hugging still isn't second nature to me, I admit. "Hug the kids more" has been a New Year’s resolution for me more than once. Gradually I've learned to hug more freely and commonly, and recognize the power hugging has in making a relationship whole. Since I've experienced both the hugging and the non-hugging life, I feel authorized to declare that it is definitely better to hug than not to hug.

Over twenty years ago, I received an email that listed some facts about hugs. I don't have a source to give credit to, and for that, I apologize. It was back in the days of chain letters that claimed a curse would come upon you if you didn't pass it along to all the contacts in your address book. This particular email assured the recipient: "You are under NO obligation to forward this electronic hug. For once, NO bad luck will befall you if you don’t want to or don’t have time to keep this moving . . ."

Then came this list of reasons that hugs are so great!

• Hugs are all natural—with no preservatives, artificial ingredients, or pesticide residue.
• They’re cholesterol-free, naturally sweet, 100 percent wholesome, and they’re a completely renewable natural resource.
• Hugs are not fattening! They don’t cause cancer or cavities.
• They don’t require batteries, tune-ups, or x-rays.
• ​They’re non-taxable, fully returnable, and energy efficient.
• Hugs are safe in all kinds of weather; in fact, they’re especially good for cold or rainy days.
• They’re exceptionally effective in treating problems like bad dreams or the Monday blahs.
• Hugs are free to give and free to get!
• There is no minimum age requirement.
• There are many different types of hugs: hugs of sadness and hugs of joy; loose hugs with a kiss on the cheek, big bear hugs, a pat on the back hug.
• You can hug hello, and you can hug goodbye.
• You can hug a human, a pet, a stuffed toy, a tree . . . you can even hug yourself.
• Hugs can warm you from the cold, and comfort you when you are scared.
• You can hug while you dance! You can hug while you sleep.
• There is no time limit on giving a hug.
• Hugs never go out of style.
• There is no restriction on how many hugs you can give.
• Hugs cross all kinds of boundaries: racial, personality, age, social, financial . . .
• Hugs are love! Hugs are caring. Hugs feel good!

NEVER WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW TO HUG SOMEONE TODAY!

You could copy and paste this onto your Facebook feed or send it through Instagram to all your followers. E-hugs just might be more necessary now than before coronavirus demanded all of us to socially distance. But please, please, also put down your device, and use your hands to close the physical and emotional distance in your home and give real hugs to your husband and children! There can never be too much hugging in the world, and the world is made up of our homes.

Photo Credit: Y-S on Unsplash.com