It is early when I wander through to the kitchen… the world is silent except for the little grunting noises Ani makes as I cuddle her good morning. I don’t speak dog fluently, but I have a feeling these short, low grunts are an expression of affection; you only ever hear them during cuddles and that is how we start our day, the small dog and I.
As the kettle boils I think about the headline I’d glimpsed about a twenty second cuddle being good for your health. I hadn’t looked up the science behind it, prepared to agree unquestioningly that cuddles are good for you. Just having someone close enough to open their arms to you, someone you trust enough to be able to hug back… that shows you have affection in your life and that has to be a good thing. Even if the arms, in this case, are paws.
Cuddling is instinctive in many situations, from the moment a mother holds her newborn child to her heart it becomes a gesture of warmth and comfort. We cry on friends’ shoulders, reach out to hug each other for sheer joy, and it is one of the simplest and most eloquent expressions of friendship, empathy and love.
I don’t need the research to back up the logic of this, but I look it up anyway. Yep, cuddling affects oxytocin and cortisol levels… the bonding hormone and stress marker. And apparently cuddles have even wider health benefits for women than they do for men. That explains a lot… Women tend to be more tactile than men and, as an advocate of listening to what your body is telling you, perhaps it is a response to something deeper than a romantic longing for closeness.
I wonder if dog cuddles count scientifically? I know they do, but wonder if the research has extended to include pets. The work done with MRI scans show dogs have complex emotions close to our own, not that any dog-person needs to be told that. I tap a quick query into the search bar; sure enough talking to them also reduces stress levels. So at least now I have a scientifically based excuse for talking to animals. Not that I need one.
The coffee kicks in and I make a mental link with the recent stories on the negative health implications of loneliness. If you don’t click on any of the other links, this one is worth the read. The results are stark and shocking in their reflection of how society is moving away from closeness to aloneness. Being on your own can be wonderful, but serious loneliness isn’t. It is appalling. I recall many years ago, finding myself feeling just such utter aloneness and isolation. It went on for a while… so long it was desperate enough that I had to resist the urge to reach out and touch people I passed in the street. Which sounds overblown, but honestly, that’s how it feels. And that was only a few weeks. Can you imagine what it must be like for those who are lonely for years? It can, according to the studies, quite literally knock years off your life. ‘Even more than poverty’ says one report… but don’t get me started on politics at this time of day…
By now we are back from our walk and I’m on the third coffee. I’ve been pondering the obvious link between these three bits of research. The extension to that is the social support that is lacking in the lives of the lonely and isolated. There is introspection instead of stimulation and interaction … and while introspection can be a good thing when it comes through choice, it must be an increasingly limiting conversation when it is all you have.
Modern communication methods are also a double-edged sword. While it is easier than ever to keep in touch with people across the world it is also easier than ever to just send a quick message instead of picking up the phone or putting on your coat and going round to see someone. For those who do not have the technical expertise or the funds to access the technology this trend becomes yet another nail in a coffin that suddenly seems more realistic than proverbial. The high cost of travel for those on a limited income coupled with the long hours many have to work in order to survive further compounds the problem. We have created a society that is increasingly isolating us on a physical level and I wonder how readily we are accepting that isolation without realising its consequences?
Then the coffee joins up another couple of dots and the well-known mental and physical benefit of helping others adds itself to the mix. So, even if we aren’t in need of cuddles ourselves, giving them to others still does us good.
Deeper reading of the research and commentaries and a bit of thought beyond the specifics and you can’t escape the idea that affection and companionship are good for health. And that the physical demonstration of that in terms of interaction… cuddles, eye contact, touch or a shared smile…even talking to the dog… is measurably good for us; physically, emotionally and psychologically.
For those who see Love at the centre of creation, this is no surprise; to put it in simple terms even the scientists now agree… love matters.
As a society we are constantly being urged to improve our health, wellbeing and quality of life. The cost of gym membership and therapy is high. Time and energy are limited. But at least we can to resolve to share more smiles, meet more eyes and hug more. Even if it is only the dog.
Adapted from a post originally published on scvincent.com
I adore animals , esp. dogs, this touches my heart! so sweet.
I’m rather fond of them myself 🙂
I even hug the guinea pig when I transport her outside and inside, and I think she rather enjoys it. Good thing Zelda is constantly by my side as she is subjected to lots of snuggles and quite a few kisses. Rosy is more aloof, but when she wants attention she plasters herself to you.<3
Ah yes, the plastering… when (what seems like) three tonnes of dog forcibly cuddles you and you are going nowhere 🙂
So true, have read other articles about all of this cuddling business. Ani must be a wonderful cuddler!
Contrary to many dog behaviour sites that state dogs don’t really like cuddles, she will choose to cuddle you. Often, whether you like it or not (I do). 🙂
http://www.cityofhope.org/blog/pet-therapy-healing-and-hope-in-canine-company#.V8-AQbmRcyk.mailto
Our animals do wonderful things for people. I used to work with a hospice…dogs made a difference.
Reblogged this on Sue Vincent – Daily Echo.
I love hugs, Sue. I do miss those dog hugs.Off to hug hubbyinstead Lovely thoughtful post as always. Jx
Any kind of hugs will do me these days. 🙂 x
Reblogged this on Sun in Gemini.
This sure touches my heart, Sue.
Stan will make sure you are never short of a hug, Jean.
He’s a real hugger alright; and has a whole repetoire from fun to deeply concerned hugs.
So does Ani, but she seems to prefer the ‘industrial squash’ when she gets chance 😉
Sounds like she’d give Conor McGregor a run for his millions!
When Ani imposes cuddle-time, you do not move. You may not even breathe.
I’m off to hug my dog right now! x
That’s always a good idea, Dorne 😉 x
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie.
I would agree that we need to do more hugging, might have to get myself a dog before I forget how to!
A dog will always remind you that you are loved x
so does our cat, but he won’t cuddle…
That’s a shame, cats are often good cuddlers.
not our Merlin. He loves Anita, so the rest of us don’t get anything… Cats can be such snobs!
They do tend to be a bit exclusive 😉
That’s him all right!
When I worked in a care home many years ago the matron often asked the care staff to bring in a well-behaved dog if they owned one. I didn’t, but many of my colleagues did. The change in the residents was quite remarkable as they stroked and petted the dog. Sometimes when people are elderly and lonely, the only way they can show love is through looking after a pet.
It made a different in the hospice too when dogs came in. You can confide in a dog…all those things you cannot say to your friends and family…and all you get back is a pair of steadfast brown eyes and a head on your knee.
Lovely!
yes, love matters. the root of all of it. great post, sue –
It does…and it is. Thanks, Beth.
Dogs are the best creatures at giving unconditional love.
I think so, Bernadette 🙂
Big hugs to you Sue!
And to you, Willow 🙂
Thanks 🤗
🙂
Dog hugs definitely count! <3
But of course <3
I’m not surprised at all that hugging, companionship and affection are good for us. In fact, I’d be amazed if science had suggested any other conclusion. Hugging is one of my favorite things in the world, although I limit my hugs to my wife, my parents and my bags of gold. (I lied about the last one.)
No small elephants? 😉
Well, they were invisible, so it was hard to find them for a hug. 🙂
All you have to do is whistle 😉
Ah, of course! 🙂
I went to pick up my granddaughter today for a day of play and cuddles with her. As I turned the corner of their street, they were walking Riley, their black lab. When Riley saw my car she got so excited I thought she would strangle herself on her leash. I get lots of dog cuddles when I am at their house. Whether dog cuddles, sweet little granddaughter cuddles, or family, friends, or even strangers, there is a special magic that you can truly feel Yes, technology is good in so many ways, but it also isolates us. I watch my grandsons sitting glued to their devices in a room full of family instead of interacting with those in the room.
At the moment, I don’t even have a tree to hug and might have to resort to my old teddy bear!
Nothing wrong with hugging an old friend 😉