I wanted to share with you something I have discovered that has been a serious GAME CHANGER for my hubs and me.
I am constantly running on RED, I am busy 93% of the time, and I have a running list of all the things I have to do in my head. At any given moment, you could categorize me as stressed, busy, and tired. Definitely too busy to stop for a useless hug. 🙄 Can I get an “amen”? Yes. Thank you.
But Richard, God bless his soul, decided to try something new one day, and it has rescued me from this horrible habit of non-stop, too busy for a hug nonsense, and I am glad. Let’s be honest. That’s not a healthy way to live for you or your spouse.
Want to know what it is? It’s a hug. A hug that lasts 20 seconds.
Bear with me…. You dysfunctional people who don’t like hugs. (I mean that in the silliest of ways… kind of).
I’ll admit, the first time Rich said, “Hey, I want to try something!” and grabbed me and forced me to hug him for longer than 5 seconds while I was in the middle of doing MY LIFE… I was annoyed. But I kid you not; we were about 15 seconds in, and I started to feel different. My body relaxed, my stress levels reduced, and I felt a sense of release and calm come over me as I lay in his arms; it felt so bonding, intimate, and close. I immediately could tell it was not a regular hug. I didn’t want to let go…
I asked him, why did it do that?!
He then went on to explain to me how he read that a 20-second hug can:
- increase levels of oxytocin (the love hormone)
- reduce blood pressure and cortisol (the stress hormone)
- increase happiness
- lower stress
- improve relationships and connection
So we began to do it. Randomly, in front of people, in public, in the most inconvenient times, while dinner was burning, Rich would shout, “20 SECONDS!!” And most of the time, I would reply, “right noooowww??” but then do it anyway. And every time, at about the 15-second mark… my body and mind would start to respond.
It has become addicting, and I look forward to it. We both do. And we laugh at how well it works. Touch is a powerful thing. Taking time to give love and receive love is a powerful thing. I can’t help but think about all the uncertainties in life and how our tomorrows are not promised to us. These 20 seconds of my time are worth it. I never regret it and never want to take it for granted.
So, I challenge you to 20 seconds that will improve your life, health, and relationships!! I challenge you to see that no matter how busy, stressed, or mad you are, you can hug your loved ones for 20 seconds. It will bless them, and it will bless you.
You’re welcome! Go, Girls, embrace those hugs.
Destiny Church – Ps. Rich Witmer
Sermon – “Restoration Of Relationships”
WATCH: https://subspla.sh/phtwkw2
Warriors & Wildmen
E216 Marriage Advice from Rich and Doug
WATCH: https://waw.fm/e216
Been doing this every day with my husband and it really does work!! Started doing it with our kids and making them do it when they get in arguments. Love it!