We are in a time of social distancing, staying at home, curbside dining out and NO outside human physical contact. How does that leave us? Studies show that physical contact actually boost our immune system, help reduce blood pressure and also helps in aid in us having a healthier heart.

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IT’S ESSENTIAL. But let me take it a little further, in the case of hugging.

According to one expert on the subject,  Michael Murphy, Ph.D., post-doctoral research associate at the Laboratory for the Study of Stress, Immunity, and Disease in the Department of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, says it’s because touch deactivates the part of the brain that responds to threats, and in turn fewer hormones are released to signal a stress response, and your cardiovascular system experiences less stress. “In other words, it’s linked to less of a ‘fight-or-flight’ response to stressful situations,” Murphy explains, adding that theorists believe interpersonal touch can modulate oxytocin (a feel-good hormone also known as “the cuddle chemical”) and the endogenous opioid system (neurons in the brain that can produce soothing chemicals), both of which can boost health. “Feeling safer and cared for, in turn, can make us less sensitive to physical pain and less reactive when faced with potentially threatening experiences, especially socially threatening experiences,” he says

SOURCE: http://www.nbcnews.com

Okay enough of the science, here’s the living truth.

Today was a very hard day for homeschooling. I homeschool both of my grandkids. My granddaughter is a brilliant human being, but today was just a hard one. We all have days like that, so I told her, “Hey school is done for today. We can pick things up tomorrow. We are going to hug, time for some Vitamin H. So, what’s your favorite song, you would like to listen to while we breath in some good healing Vitamin H?” She picked, Bob Marley, Don’t Worry, Be Happy. We stood in the dining room and just hugged and laughed throughout the song. She looked up at me with those beautiful brown eyes and said, “Gigi, I feel so much better.” She went off and played for the rest of the day, joyful and not with a care in the world. Our time not only uplifted her spirit inside, but also my spirit as well.

Today, tonight, tomorrow, take 30 seconds or more to hug your kids, and your love ones. Do not forget those that we can’t hug right now, send them virtual hugs, turn on their favorite song and listen together. Wrap them up with your words of love, affirmations, letting them know how much they mean to you. If you can, break a meal together, even if it’s a virtual one and remember to always Set the Table with Love. Namaste.