Sometimes You Just Need a Hug
February 8, 2008 accident prone, healing touch, hug therapy, touch deprivation No CommentsWhen I taught at a Los Angeles university, I was one of only three Black employees in our building. The three of us didn’t work in close proximity, but when we encountered each other in the hall or foyer, we gave each other a firm hug.
If you’ve never been the only “whatever” on your job, in your neighborhood, at a party or on a tour, you may not be able to grasp the feeling of isolation and loneliness that even the healthiest among us might feel when not connected.
We crave touch so much, according to some theories, that we’ll create situations where we bump into objects or people to fill this need, better known as accident prone.
While the news is full of reports of molestation and harmful touching, researchers such as neuropsychologist James W. Prescott have found that insufficient amounts of physical affection may be a cause of high violence rates in the U.S.
In an article Parveen Chopra quotes Virginia Satir, family therapist
We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.
In her book The Hug Therapy Book, Kathleen Keating discusses the importance of touch for our physical and psychological well-being. (Click on the book image above to go to Kathleen’s book.)
Are hugs and touch important to your life?
