Did you know that a person needs at least four hugs a day for healthy survival? Virginia Satir was a pioneering family therapist who is credited with the following quote: “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.”

Sometimes we forget the value of the human touch.

On the way home from a conference, Don Piper’s car was crushed by a semi that crossed into his lane.  After 34 surgeries and one year in the hospital Don finally came home. Don says, “When my eight year old son came home from school, without saying a word, Chris would walk over and lay his head on my chest. I don’t know how long his head lay there, probably not more than a full minute. He never said a word. He didn’t need to. That simple gesture was enough. I felt so loved by my son. He expressed his grief in the only way he knew how.”

The power of the human touch is vital. Several sources suggest that everyone needs at least four hugs a day for healthy survival, eight hugs a day for emotional strength and twelve hugs a day to really grow. Start hugging. Start by hugging your children and your spouse.  . . .12 hugs a day! What a difference you will make in their lives.

Never forget the value of the human touch.  Who needs a hug from you today?

Karen Mulder

Karen Mulder

Karen Mulder is the founder of the Wisdom of the Wounded ministry. She lives in Holland, Michigan with her husband Larry.

1 Comment

  1. Elyse

    I am so happy to have found your web site through Truth for Life. My desire has always been to care for people especially children and the hurting. I’m looking forward to giving more hugs and learning to care well.

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