Bad times ... Good Touch

One of the things badly missed in these times of pandemic is Human Touch.

No matter how much we get used to machines and technology, we as humans need human touch.

One of the most underrated yet influential human touches is ”A HUG”.

A good hug has the power to uplift our mood, cut down stress, reduce depression, and a lot more.

But the million-dollar question is, can we hug each other when social distancing has become the new normal?

The good news is: Yes, we can, but mindfully.

Still, there will be some degree of risk as long as the virus is around. Please consider your personal risks.

Perhaps it’s helpful to balance the risk against the emotional gain.

You can more safely hug by having clean hands and wearing well-fitted masks. Hugging outdoors is the considerably safer way.

The hug’s impact can be increased by giving it a formal procedure that includes asking permission, preparing for safety, eye contact, respectful bowing, and mindful breathing. You can also acknowledge to yourself during the hug, “They are alive in my arms, I am so happy.”

INSTRUCTIONS, WRITTEN:

First, we ask permission: May I hug you, may we hug, the safer, mindful way?

Please ensure clean hands and wear well-fitted masks.

Then stand 6 feet apart, or more, facing each other. Make eye contact, then bow to honor each other.

Then take five slow breaths with awareness, with eye contact if comfortable, using hand gestures matched to the breathing-in and breathing-out, so that you can breathe together.

Take one breath,

And another…

And a third.

And a fourth.

And a fifth.

Then Inhale a DEEP breath and hold it in for the whole hug.

Approach each other, Turning faces in opposite directions, embrace each other.

Thinking, “We are alive in each other’s arms; I am so happy” And now, release the hug. Step back six or more feet…. and breathe again. End by making eye contact, bowing to each other, and honoring each other’s mindful presence.

I wish you all the possibility of a happy, safer, and mindful hug.