Apparently there are thousands of external causes of stress. Some are reported to be positive and others are negative.
Negative stresses are calculated as percentages of difficulty managing different situations - relative to - the death
of a spouse. So the death of a spouse has a value of (100%). We get divorced (73%). Have a serious illness (53%) Lose a job
(47%) Change occupation (36%) Argue with a spouse (35%) and so on.
Positive stresses are calculated upon falling in love and getting married. Which is calculated as only (50%) Reconcile
after a separation (45%) Retire (45%) Have a baby (39%) Buy a house (31%) Get promoted (29%) Have an unusual success (28%)
Graduate (26%) Make new friends (18%) Take a vacation (13%) etc.
The more of these major life changing situations during the last 2 years the greater the chances of physical and/or emotional
illness (Holmes & Rahe, 1967)
Other researchers have found that having just one close, confiding relationship protects us from many of these stresses.
However, I would love to know the positive stress value of a bloody good cuddle.
CUDDLES
Few things can equal the magical healing quality of a good cuddle. It would indeed be a most wonderful
day for the entire human race if one could get free cuddles from our health service providers.
The list of emotional problems whose worse symptoms could be at least alleviated by regular cuddles
would be seemingly endless. Indeed, if cuddles were made compulsory, I believe that the emotional health of our entire species
would improve overnight. Stress, anxiety and depression would virtually disappear and suicide rates would plummet.
Cuddles are the cornerstone of emotional first aid.
Use them not only when they are needed, but also when they are not. In terms of cuddles there really is
no such thing as too much of a good thing.
