The Atlantic just had an article on touch. In light of Joe Biden and MeToo and numerous other issues/trends/discussions in our world today, it raises some good questions.The article examines the known health benefits of human touch; we all need it. At the same time, it recognizes that touch has other implications according to gender, social status, and power inequality.
Which brings me to 8 Hugs a Day. Over 15 years ago Tom Pease called me up one day and said that a principal in a school he’d been working in had shared with him research about the number of hugs needed by all of us. For example, here are ten reasons why we need 8 hugs. Virginia Satir said “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”
I guess we settled on 8. I worked on the fairly simple chorus all day, and then Tom and I refined it. We started writing verses with kids, some of which we eventually recorded. We both think of it as our go-to-song, a song that works in so many environments. and situations. It has only failed me once. It creates an instant sense of community and playfulness. There are some people who don’t like to hug, of course, and we allow for that as we set up and perform the song. But most people are glad to have the opportunity in a ligh-hearted way.
When you see a giant room of folks singing, laughing, and hugging, the power of touch and the song becomes evident. Of all of our songs, I think this is the best one we’ve created together.
Here’s a video
Stuart,
This song by you and Tom Pease has been one of my favorites since I heard it. This video is really moving and so much fun! Thanks for sharing. XOXO
Stuart, this is terrific. Sending one hug out to you right now!
This “8 Hugs a Day” song really brings home the importance of touch in our daily lives, Stuart. And for those who don’t like the touch of others, hugging oneself is also a useful and therapeutic tool! Aside from showing self-compassion, research showed that “Crossing the hands over the body midline impairs [the brain’s] ability to localize tactile stimuli.” More specifically, information about the right side of the body appears to be coming in through the nervous system from the left side of the body, and vice/versa. The fact that participants could see their own hands added to the brain’s confusion – because it looked like the right hand was the left hand, and vice/versa.” So we all should start singing this song and let the hugging commence! :)