There is little doubt in any part of the world that loving physical contact improves feelings of wellbeing and releases chemicals that reduce stress.
A restriction on physical contact during covid was one of its most under recognised legacies from a StressBusting™ perspective, as illustrated in real time by our post entitled "“I Want to Hold your Hand”".
Loving contact can come in many shapes and forms; family, companionship, friendship, common purpose and combined grief being but a few examples.
Equally, healthy, lawful, safe and responsible sexual contact can have a huge positive impact on our health and wellbeing. And goodness does it burn up calories in the process.
In other words (as Michael Bolton once famously sang) "Time, love & tenderness" are great gifts as well as healers to ourselves and others.
Yet in a world so keen to 'talk things out', such simplicity often gets lost in the wider picture.
While it sounds cliche, a hug or gentle squeeze of a loved one's hand (when welcomed or invited, of course) really does cost nothing and, when genuine, can calm and reassure a person hugely.
Pets do this so very well, which is why they can form such a critical part of many individuals' daily StressBusting™ practices, particularly where individuals for any reason do not have a large human infrastructure around them - see Hank's post entitled "A Word from Our Hank on Pet Companionship" for a broader explanation of this, "straight from the K9's mouth", so to speak.
But certain cultures are definitely more physical than others, whereas some show they care in different ways than physicality.
And there is a degree of perception that needing or asking for a good hug is a sure sign of weakness when there needn't be, as it is perfectly natural. Some experts even advocate hugging trees!
So next time you feel someone is I need of some time, love and tenderness, without being a "space invader", why not (if appropriate in the circumstances and taking into account local or national cultural norms) take the initiative and ask politely if they would like one?!
After all, they can only say no and may well even without saying so appreciate the offer as a validation of how they appear to feel.
Much love
MikeyM™&LouLoU™ 😊😍😎🧡💛💕 xxxx