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02/12/2007: "A Big Hug for Valentine’s Day"
My friend Nina was a student of mine when I taught at the American International School in Vienna. The last time I saw her she was getting ready to move from the US, where she had lived for the last 15 years, back to her home in Vienna. During that visit, we were talking about the cultural differences between Europeans and Americans. One of those differences that she said took her awhile to get used to, was that the Europeans greeted each other with a kiss or two (or three) on the cheek and Americans hugged.
Though there are many things that I like about European culture and customs, it looks like the Americans have this one right. More and more research is showing that, “Touch is just as important to our health as diet and exercise,” says Dr. Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Physical contact controls the level of hormones that can destroy our killer immune system cells. Touch also suppresses stress hormones, slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.
The good news is that you can get some of these benefits from just a handshake or putting lotion on yourself. Of course the best would be to get a regular massage. Besides stress relief, massage boost circulation, expels toxins and relieves pain. Some form of touch everyday is necessary to keep you healthy.
So even a simple hug goes a long way. When you greet a friend with a hug, not only do you show that you care about them, you also boost their health. Now that is a fine custom!