Parkinson's: The Power of a Hug

 

A Journey Into Parkinson's with Nancy Mellon

Coordinated by Corrine Bayraktaroglu

The New Reality vs. 12 Hugs a Day?

Cynthia, is my wonderful PD boxing coach.  Besides boxing with us, she pushes us gently to multi- task as we box (OH, how I Hate multi-tasking. I am terrible at it, but that's the point, we need to practice doing it or lose the ability to do it. )

She also gives us tips on how to live safely and well with Parkinson's.

One of her tips is that we all need hugs.

Preferably 12 hugs a day.

That's a lot of hugs!

First, I wondered how “they” know that?  And who are “they”?

 Enter Google

WOW, there is a whole lot about hugs on line. And “They” be-scientists and therapists. Lots of  research and studies have been done about hugging. (That tends to make me smile. Who funds research about hugging?)

An author and therapist, quoted in many of the articles, was Virginia Satir.  She said,

•       We need four hugs a day for survival. 

•       We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. 

•       We need 12 hugs a day for growth

Hugs were called  “happiness boosters that move us away from pain to pleasure.”  Hugging also increases our level of oxytocin, the “cuddle hormone.” Oxytocin causes your blood pressure to go down,  helps us bond with others and reduces the stress hormone, norepinephrine.

Scientists have found that hugging can reduce anxiety, it makes us healthier and happier.

How long should you hug for?  Three seconds seems to be the agreed on time. Though 4-5 seconds were also discussed  as pretty nice. And yes, by golly, there were studies done on that too:-)

I have one friend who gives the best hugs. She is just a delight to be hugged by.  But sadly, I don't see her very often and the Pandemic has cut off (or cut drastically down) on people's chances of snagging a hug. Normally, I am a bit on the stingy side of hugging, it doesn't come naturally for me. With the Pandemic raging, hugging anyone who didn't live with me, disappeared from my life

So what about now? In some ways it has grown more complicated.

Hey Google- Hugs and Covid?

They talk about your comfort with a level of risk.  As one Dr. says "If I know the other person is fully vaccinated and I'm fully vaccinated, I'll give them a hug. I'm OK with that level of risk."

Here are other suggestions:

•       Take circumstances into consideration. If you are inside,  up-close with lots of other people, don't hug. Outdoors is more likely to be OK. "

•       As long as people are masked up and you know where you've been- hugging is probably OK.

•       As for the "where you've been" point — if the hugger or huggee say, was on a six-hour flight the day before or very recently attended an indoor concert — that might make you reconsider or make sure that you and the person you're hugging are wearing masks.

•       Then there are people outside your close family/friend "bubble" whom you might want to hug – but may have jobs in fields that expose them to lots of potentially contagious folks, such as health care, education or the service industry.

To sum up: The new reality is to share your information about your vaccination status and ask first – because everybody has a different tolerance level.  “If you are the hugger, ask if people are comfortable: 'I'm vaccinated and would love to give you a hug."

It is part of the new normal. "It's not an unreasonable or awkward thing to state anymore."

Back to the beginning question, how often do you hug or get hugged a day?  I think, if I give or receive 2-4 hugs a day it is a good hug day.  So I am definitely under hugged. And, considering the last 2 years we've all lived through,  I bet you are under hugged too. So if  I see you out and about downtown, or on a walk, I might try to step out of my comfort zone and say, 'I'm vaccinated and would love to give you a hug. Are you OK with getting hugged?”

Have a great hug today,

Nancy & the Snark

Footnotes From Corrine

Hum! definitely under hugged, but the grandchildren sure make up for it on Sunday's . I would think for those who are alone  hugging a pet may have the same benefit, OR even a fave stuffed toy.

Yep, I still give my lost bear a snuggle now and again.