A hug a day prevents divorce
Would you like to add more warmth to your marriage? Here is a “divorce proof” exercise for you to prove. I say divorce-proof because if you do this every day, you probably won’t be prone to accumulating contempt and resentment. A “hug from the heart” is a great new habit to start.
The secrets of long lasting happy marriages include simple things that increase the warmth in a relationship. And who doesn’t want a more loving and connected relationship?
TRY THIS: AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN THE DAY, LEAVE A MINUTE HUGGING YOUR PARTNER.
My friend Kristine James has been doing this for many years and highly recommends it. This is your chance to stop the world for a minute while hugging yourself, assimilating the feeling of your partner. What a great way to start the day. A minute may seem long and if it’s uncomfortable, aim for 30 seconds at first.
You can hug horizontally in bed when you wake up, but try to develop a hugging habit after you’re ready for the day, before going your separate ways. After showering and getting ready for the day, your paths may cross in the hallway. What a perfect time for a smile and a hug. This is a hug from the heart.
Another option is to hug six times a day for six seconds. Scientific sounds. Should you time yourself? Authors Patricia Love and Steven Stosny say that if the first emotion of the day is positive, the next is likely to be positive. They say the less you touch, the more resentful and detached you can become. Frequent hugs keep serotonin levels high enough to ensure a sense of calm.
If you start each day with a hug and make it a habit, you will add warmth to your marriage and improve your physical, emotional and mental health. By making hugging a ritual, you will be less likely to carry resentment and anger the next day. How can you be upset with your partner if you know they will hug for a minute every day? If you adopt this habit and find that you neglect it or lose several days in a row, you will notice that things are not “right”. As soon as you notice a bit of distance, talk about it.
Consider a hug (or 6!) A day as an insurance policy. It will insure against the possibility of separation.
“Reciprocity is essential for the survival of a relationship.” -Willard F. Harley Jr.