My boyfriend and I had a mutual revelation last night when we talked on the phone. We decided that the reason depression is such a huge deal in the world, along with stress, anxiety, and anger…is because people aren’t held enough. How often do you simply want someone to wrap their arms around you, hold you close, and tell you that it’s going to be alright? That is the most basic human form of reassurance. All we need sometimes, in the busy rush of the modern world, is to be held and reassured and loved.
Last summer Christian got bronchitis. It was absolutely horrible. I was terrified that it would turn into pneumonia because he was working a summer camp in the kitchen and didn’t have the time to heal or stay out of the hot kitchen/outdoors. So on one of his Saturdays off, he spent the morning on my couch. No one else was around or awake yet, just him and I. I sat down and he laid across my lap and I just wrapped my arms around him. I sang, “You Are My Sunshine” and rocked him back and forth.
To this day, a whole year later, he says that the morning he was sick, in pain, and just being held is one of his all-time favorite memories. What does that say about us as humans? He just needed to know that someone was there, caring for him, and it was alright.
According to science, the pressure on your muscles from being in a friendly embrace will relax the mind and body, allowing time for you to regenerate. Why do you think couples or good friends hug so much? Because it physically makes you happy. Heck, I love to cuddle because it makes me feel safe! Chemicals released from your brain when you are held closely and in a loving manner tell your body that you are safe and can fully relax, let down your guard, and enjoy your relaxing time.
Sometimes I think we just need to be held.
groundlingsup 