Be Kind-Hugging Rules
My family raves about my hugs. My daughter’s friends crave my hugs. I hope by July, my whole, giant family can safely resume sharing long embraces instead of reminiscing about them over videochat.
When my mother-in-law and I, both fully vaxed against COVID, finally got to wrap our arms around each other again, I put my whole heart into it. Tears pricked my eyes. I felt muscles relax that I hadn’t even known were tense; a really good hug does that.
I hope you have a safe group to get your hug on with. A lot of good can come of it. So, let me share arm-wrapping rules with you.
Do it right!
- Wait for permission. This hug will be quite intimate and shouldn’t be imposed upon the unsuspecting.
- The shorter person wraps their arms under the taller person’s arms. This is no time for tottering on tippy toes.
- Your hands must be flat on the back of the person you’re hugging. What kind of love do fists convey, after all? None of this impatient patting. You aren’t hugging a dog. I don’t think rubbing is a good idea, either. Not sure why… It just doesn’t work for me.
- As you press your hands against your loved one’s back, send them all the love you have for them, from your heart to theirs. I always do this, and people say they can feel it in their chest. Don’t squeeze too hard. Trust me, bad things happen.
- Hold the hug for at least 20 seconds if you’re both comfortable with that. That’ll get the oxytocin flowing. Hopefully, you both smell nice. Scents fix memories, and this will be a good one.
Soon your COVID-safe group will be growing, and you’ll be ready with a hug that shows all the love you feel. The hugged and the hugger will both be better for it.
What’s your best hug memory?
