Monday, 26 August 2013

Changing the World One Hug at a Time



About 5 years ago my Grandfather informed of his 5 guidelines to healthy living. I respect this man very much. He is always smiling and treats everyone he meets with the utmost respect. Currently he is 87 years of age, he plays hockey and golf (yes he walks the course) and he still comes into the office of the business he created almost 60 years ago. One of his 5 guidelines to healthy living was to hug someone everyday. This is not the first time I have heard of the benefits of physical touch through hugging. One article I read mentioned that in order to achieve personal growth you must have at least 8 hugs a day. I find it funny to place numbers on the amount of hugs one gives a day but I do find that I notice through my mood if I haven’t met my hug quota for the day. Through the act of hugging Oxytocin (one of the body’s four “feel good” neurotransmitters) is released allowing us to feel slightly more elated after the hug. Each morning at the office I start my day with a hug from my Grandfather and I try to share the love for the rest of the day. So I ask you this serious question of “Who have you hugged today”? If you cannot remember then it’s not too late to hug your neighbour, coworker, boss, the cashier at the grocery store, random person you started talking to at the bus stop, mother, sister or lover!

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