May 2021 Blog

​​Staying Connected. A Balancing Act...

From L to R: My Great Niece, Grace, hugging my Granddaughter, Maddie, 10 Years ago. My Granddaughter is now 17 years old and Grace is 14 years old now. Time Flies!!!.

I've never been one for being tech savvy or loving it all that much.
However, since the pandemic, I've relied and appreciated social media and tech a lot. It's kept me connected with the outside world.
With family and friends.
I remember...during my days at Hofstra University...writing a Thesis Statement stating how "the world is doomed due to a total reliability on technology. We are a social society...after all"...I wrote. "We need interaction with our fellow humans." This has always been paramount in my world.  Therefore, relying totally on technology for communication to me, at the time, was isolating and would have lasting negative ramifications in society.  While there is some truth to that, little did I know that many years later, we'd be tackling a pandemic that would keep us from seeing and hugging our loved ones and friends for well over a year.  We've witnessed the effects the pandemic has had on our kids, grandkids and ourselves. It's caused emotional trauma and physical ailments that come from stress, detachment and isolation.  
Personally, I could see how confused my grandchildren were as they tried to understand that they couldn't hug their "Grammie."  They tried to hug me...through windows and doors...it was, as many of you have witnessed, heartbreaking.  
Just recently, Denis and I became fully vaccinated. To us it was a day of hope and light at the end of a long dark tunnel. On Easter Sunday we were able to see our grandkids in person. We hugged them for the first time in over a year! ​It was the most wonderful feeling in the world. It caused me to appreciate the small gestures that I once took for granted. Their hugs warmed my heart. I felt a love connection again.

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​Hugging.
​Ohhh, how I love a good hug!  
Especially from my grandchildren!!!

🥰

So, what's the deal with a hug and why is it so important?

Hugging to me is a warm and comforting thing to do. When my son, Denis, was a young boy, he would hug me all of the time. As he got taller and older, he would place his head on my shoulder and hug me with all of his might.  Oh, how great that would make me feel. 
According to my Google research, "When we touch – cuddle, hug, or hold hands with each other – our bodies release “feel good” hormones. These hormones include oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. Once the hormones are released into our bodies we experience feelings of happiness, relaxation, improved mood, and lower levels of depression."  
There are many benefits to hugging...

• Hugs reduce stress by showing your support. ... 
• Hugs may protect you against illness. ... 
• Hugs may boost your heart health. ... 
• Hugs can make you happier. ... 
• Hugs help reduce your fears. ... 
• Hugs may help reduce your pain. ... 
• Hugs help you communicate with others.🐾

Once vaccinated, hugs can leave a lasting treasured memory especially during this COVID19 Pandemic. Therefore, hugs are important, but so is the internet. I think we can all attest to the fact that we really need them both .

In conclusion, I'd like to say that while I grew in appreciation to the power of technology during this year of isolation, I feel, that there's nothing that can replace the feeling that we get from connecting with society in person. I've learned a lot during the pandemic. I've learned that we need both technology and personal interaction. It's a balancing act of sorts. In this day and age, we need them both to survive.
However, the only way we can get them both to balance together is that we ALL need to get vaccinated. (Unless, of course, you're unable to for medical reasons.)  Being vaccinated is the only way we are going to begin a new normalcy.  Things are getting better here in the USA. We still have a ways to go, though. Currently, the people in India and other countries around the world are in dire situations. We  pray for them and continue to pray as we battle new and increasing variants. In the meantime, please, please continue to keep vigilant and get vaccinated if you're able.  

​Most importantly...
​keep the faith.
​AND
When possible...HUG!! It's a great feeling!
Happy tales to you
xoxo Yvonne

​🐾 ​Why You Should Get (and Give) More Hugs - Healthlinehttps://www.healthline.com › health › hugging-benefits