I remember when I was newly widowed. That first year I was lucky to have such amazing support from my family and close friends. I got hugs and cuddles daily from my toddler and newborn. But obviously something was missing.
I remember going to see my osteopath and getting a treatment. He put his arms around me like a hug in some of the gentle adjustments. I wasn’t attracted to him, don’t misunderstand this, but the human touch filled a void that I didn’t know I was missing so much.
Now, in this pandemic where we aren’t allowed to hug our closest friends, our family members, the new babies in our outer circles… it’s going against the human need for connection and touch.
Of course it’s important to do our due diligence and protect the vulnerable people in our lives. Of course we are going to do what the medical professionals and our leaders are suggesting. I’m just saying, if you are missing human connection and touch, you’re not alone.
Maybe going for that massage or osteopathic treatment is not frivolous. Maybe it’s feeding your soul, your humanness. Maybe it’s releasing wonderful hormones in your body to make you feel a little bit better.
How can you get touch? Who in your social circle can you hug a little bit more?