Older Adults Need Hugs Too
By Tom Herrin
People tend to go about their daily activities in a pretty steady routine. Sometimes it isn’t that they really want to, but they just fall into the same habits and have a difficult time making any changes. When dealing with other people, many seem to be increasingly less involved in personal contact and prefer to do everything remotely. In other words, society seems to have evolved into an order in which people rely on technology much more than touch. It may be the sad footnote to the many advances that have been made in the last few years. There may well be some real advantages to health when people touch and hug more often.
A Hug May Give a Child More Confidence
Children are often insecure about a lot of things. Since they are aware of the fact that they are pretty vulnerable; many of them have a high degree of fears about many of those things they feel are out of their control. A hug can help them to feel more secure and loved. Even those who have that favorite soft bear, or other toy, can benefit from their own ability to provide hugs. Children who sleep with that favorite thing to hug may be a little more secure and able to deal with their own fears and insecurities more effectively.
Hugs Can Relieve Stress
The old "which came first" saying can be applied to hugs as well as many other things. It has been shown that hugs can help relieve stress. Whether the world in its high-tech style is responsible for some of the stress people feel, or whether stress has increased on its own, can be a question. It is simply that hugs can relieve some of the stress. Hugging family members before they head out each day, or doing so after a hectic day, may be a way of providing them with a way of dealing with some of those stresses.
Don’t Forget Our Older Friends and Family
Many times, we focus on the need for physical contact when we are referring to children. Older people can gain every bit as much from a hug. They enjoy giving and receiving. Reach out and touch them. You may be surprised at what a wonderful experience it is when you do. You may be able to provide a feeling of relief for their stress. When they realize they are not so alone, it can brighten their lives and give them a greater ability to cope. What a great gift you can share for free.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fort Worth, Tex.