The human touch

             Hello, lovelies.

      Christmas is coming, we’re about to have a five-day window where we can spend the most wonderful time of the year with our families and friends. Exchanging presents. Eating to excess. Kissing under the mistletoe.  Sharing a drink or two. And hugging our nearest and dearest. But what if that one hug could lead to something more than just the expression of love? What if that hug unknowingly passes the virus? Is the hug worth the risk? But what is the risk of not hugging those that we love? What is the price of basic human contact? And what is the cost of the absence of it?

            I recently met up with a friend that I haven’t seen for months, and as she walked towards me, without thinking, I threw my arms around her and gave her the biggest hug. I was so caught up with seeing my friend, that I completely forgot about the social distancing. We were both wearing masks, but the joy at seeing her made me forget about the potential risk of what I had done. Had I just put both of us at risk? Had my reckless actions jeopardised our health?  What if I was carrying the virus and had just passed it on to my friend? Or was I worrying over nothing.

Can the coronavirus be transmitted from person to person through a hug? In short, yes it can. It can be transmitted after close contact with an infected person. I could have passed the virus on to my friend, and therefore on to her family, which would have been the worst thing imaginable. I have never been so happy that I do not have Covid 19.

But what happens to us when we don’t hug and touch each other? Surely that would be the best way to limit the risk of passing the virus. No. We humans need that human touch. We feel more affection deprived. We’re less happy, much lonelier and highly likely to experience depression and stress. So, in general, not having that human touch is detrimental to our health and wellbeing.

There are many types of hugs, and they all convey different meanings. We Polite Hug. Bear Hug. One-Way Hug. Buddy Hug. Back Hug and intimate Hug. All have different meanings but are all important in their unique ways. But what actually happens when you hug someone? Hugs instantly boost oxytocin levels which decrease stress hormones and heal feelings of loneliness, anger and isolation. Hugs build trust and a sense of safety. Hugs lift one's serotonin levels, elevating mood and creating happiness. They strengthen the immune system. And if you hug someone you love for 20 seconds a day it is the key to alleviating stress and beating burnout. A lingering embrace releases the bonding hormone oxytocin, which can lower your blood pressure, slow your heart rate and improve your mood.

            I shouldn’t have hugged my friend. Not because I don’t love her, and haven’t missed her, but because right now the only way to keep ourselves safe, and not passing the deadly virus onto others. It’s going to be hard, and over Christmas, it is going to be extra hard. But we have to do it. Telling my friend that I missed her would have been better for us both. We all must remember that this is not going to last. We will defeat the virus sooner or later, and then we can hug all we like. But for now, telling those we love is far more important. Let's all call our friends and family. Send an IOU for a bear hug in the new to all those that may be at risk. And give an extra hug to all those in your family and support bubbles that it is safe to do so. Let's all stay safe and enjoy Christmas.