For many people, the thing they’ve missed most during the pandemic is being able to hug loved ones. Indeed, it wasn’t until we lost our ability to hug friends and family did many realize just how important touch is for many aspects of our health.
The reason hugs feel so good has to do with our sense of touch. It’s an extremely important sense. It allows us not only to physically explore the world around us, but also to communicate with others by creating and maintaining social bonds.
Hugging can help to lower blood pressure, and it boosts self-esteem. Touch is a powerful language that conveys feelings of safety, love, and connection to others.
If you are feeling a bit drained or pressured, find someone you care about and give them an all-enveloping hug. A hug can bring feelings of safety, happiness, and more.
Getting technical…hugs strengthen your immune system and balance your body. A hug results in some pressure on your sternum, which then stimulates the thymus gland, which then regulates and balances the body's production of white blood cells, which keeps you healthy.
While it’s important we continue to keep ourselves safe during the pandemic, it’s equally as important that we don’t give up hugs forever. Touch is an instinct that is definitely beneficial for our mental and physical health – so we should celebrate its return.
It’s wondrous what a hug can do.
A hug can cheer you when you’re blue.
A hug can say, “I love you so!”
Or “Gee, I hate to see you go!”
A hug is, “Welcome back again!”
And, “Great to see you! Where’ve you been?”
A hug can soothe a small child’s pain
And, bring a rainbow after rain.
The hug! There’s just no doubt about it!
We scarcely could survive without it!
A hug delights and warms and charms.
It must be why God gave us arms!
A hug can break the language barrier;
And, make your travels so much merrier.
No need to fret about your store of them;
The more you give, the more there’s more of them.
So, stretch those arms without delay…
And, give someone a hug today!
-Authors Unknown
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Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NLT
Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 NLT
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
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In one of “God’s Other Ways”, He is bringing us through the COVID pandemic.
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If you liked this story and would like a copy of either of my books,
they are available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle format:
If you have a story or testimony that you think might bless others,
I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.
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