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The Power of a Hug

I’m not sure how it happens, but I’m sure it does happen. Power and strength are literally transferred from one person to another through the act of hugging. At least that’s been my experience.

I first noticed this as a child as I watched the evening ritual of my Dad’s arrival home after a long and stressful day at work. My Mom would greet him at the door with a big hug …or maybe it was my Dad giving her the hug. All I know is that you could see it in their faces and the change in their body language. The stress and exhaustion seemed to melt away in that lingering hug.

During the years when my son was a toddler, I sometimes found the job of Mommy to be completely overwhelming and would be on the verge of tears when suddenly the comfort of two tiny arms wrapped around my neck began infusing me with strength and renewed patience.

As I became aware of this incredible source of energy and strength, I began to seek it out when needed. My son and his friends became my very own little “energy gas” tanks. They seemed to be always on the look out for me needing an “energy” boost and were always willing to give me some of their energy. Of course, they were also sharp enough to use this hug strategy to avoid getting in trouble for being a bit to rambunctious in the house.

Of course this hug therapy works both ways. When my son would become over tired or be having a rough day, all it seemed to take was a few minutes of my time and a nice long hug and he would be off and laughing in no time.

I’m not a scientist or a sociologist so I can’t really say if there is some tangent transfer of physical energy or if it is simply an emotional response, but I do believe that it’s something that God created in all of us. We all have the power to pass a bit of our strength on to those we love and care about through the simple act of a hug.