Cuddle Therapy

“I get really upset some days, and I really just wish I had someone there to cuddle.”
Harry Styles

As a therapist, I’m always exploring modalities to provide greater client benefits, particularly for stress relief. I’m especially interested in natural therapies that augment and support the body’s innate healing wisdom. When I discover a therapeutic process that I can teach others to use at home, and thus empower them, I’m even happier. Cuddle therapy ticks all these boxes, and so much more too!

Admittedly, I was initially sceptical of something so intimate, but the innate simplicity of cuddling made perfect sense – after all, I’m a hugger of both people and trees … lol!  Once I began cuddling clients, this became the most obvious means of connecting and forging greater bonds almost instantly. In this intimate space, where firm boundaries and codes of conduct are well established, communication naturally begins to flow effortlessly.

Speaking one’s truth becomes much easier when we feel comforted and supported, enabling pain and suffering to be soothed quickly too. Besides this, my clients can receive added benefits too – my skillset includes being an EFT ‘tapping’ practitioner and Stress Consultant with more than a decade’s experience, plus I’m a Hospice trained Caregiver too …

Understandably not everyone is “touchy-feely”, and that’s perfectly OK too. For the “touchy-feely”, cuddle therapy is a blissful experience with amazing benefits …

What exactly is Cuddle Therapy?

Cuddle Therapy is purely platonic, non-sexual and non-invasive therapeutic process that is not only safe, but very specific to supporting one’s innate need, or cravings, of basic human touch. Being cuddled helps recipients to feel accepted, appreciated, approved of, and at their core, loved. Our strict boundaries and codes of conduct ensure a safe, comfortable space for both client and cuddler alike.

Frequent cuddling helps foster feelings of general wellbeing, safety, security, confidence, joy, happiness and peace of mind too. There’s something deeply comforting, and soothing, about being wrapped in someone’s arms – it’s an enormously gratifying experience too.

Who is Cuddle Therapy suitable for?

Anyone! Seriously … Cuddle Therapy is beneficial for everyone regardless of your age, culture etc. Who doesn’t like to feel great?

Many couples develop stressful relationship problems purely because one or both partner’s basic touch needs aren’t being met. As a result, they don’t feel loved and supported by their partner. Naturally, insecurities and jealousy sets in. This affects their ability to communicate, which ultimately puts the relationship under strain. Sadly, they then run the risk of parting ways. Cuddle Therapy can fulfil this need without putting the relationship under stress, or at risk – there is no third party involvement (i.e. affair).  Moreover, an added benefit is that Cuddle Therapy is non-threating to the relationship because either one, or both parties can participate if they so wish.

If required, the couple can both be taught how to cuddle in an emotionally fulfilling way that doesn’t only involve sexual intimacy. Cuddling should’t be associated with foreplay or sex – it can remain a standalone, fulfilling activity for the benefit of both parties without the proverbial ‘happy ending’. For instance, cuddling or snuggling up together before falling asleep is deeply gratifying, especially after a long draining, stressful day where sex feels too arduous, or overwhelming.

If you’re currently in a relationship, encourage your partner to cuddle without any sexual connotations or expectations. Simply lie together, and hold one another in a position that feels comfortable and relaxing. Try spooning. Perhaps wrap arms and legs around each other. Simply holding one another is gratifying. This interconnectedness will stimulate the beneficial release of oxytocin, the bliss hormone as well as the other feel good hormones.

Cuddling doesn’t have to be confined to the bedroom alone – cuddle on the couch, or while lying on a comfortable carpet or rug on the floor, try cuddle outdoors on a blanket in the sunshine or under a shady tree in your garden or the local park. Cuddling can be done anywhere, anytime – in a restaurant, at the cinema, while visiting friends etc.

Couples who cuddle tend to be happier, healthier and less stressed. According to David Klow, a marriage and family therapist in Chicago, “Most people want to feel understood, and communication is the vehicle by which they transmit understanding and empathy. Non-verbal communication can be a very powerful way to say to your partner, ‘I get you.’ Cuddling is a way of saying, ‘I know how you feel.’ It allows us to feel known by our partner in ways that words can’t convey.”

What to expect, and what Cuddle Therapy is not:

Cuddle Therapy is a purely professional, platonic service for anyone over 21 years old. Cuddling is conducted in a strictly non-sexual therapeutic manner and environment, and definitely without the “happy endings” typically associated with sexual orientated services.

All Cuddle clients are advised to wear appropriate loose fitted clothing covering as much of their body as possible i.e. light weight tracksuit pants with a T-shirt or similar long pyjamas with socks. No skimpy, revealing clothes are tolerated. Cuddle Therapy is NEVER conducted naked.

Personal hygiene is paramount. Clients and cuddlists are expected to have had a bath or shower prior to their session to avoid body odour issues, including clean hair and freshly brushed teeth.

Cuddle sessions are typically 1-2 hours, including an explanation to create a safe space. Sessions begin with basic touch (hands and arms) and slowly progress to various cuddle positions to maximise comfort. Group Cuddle Parties are also available, area dependent. (I’m willing to travel around the country if the need warrants the costs – let’s chat)

For all Cuddle Therapy enquiries, please contact us here

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Cuddle Therapy Benefits

Cuddling stimulates the production of oxytocin in the pituitary gland. Oxytocin counteracts cortisol, the stress hormone, so frequent cuddles reduces the detrimental effects of stress, while increasing one’s levels of joy and happiness levels, which also naturally counter stress.

Oxytocin is a natural antidepressant, and feel good hormone, also known as the ‘bliss hormone’ or ‘love hormone’. Simultaneously, Cuddle Therapy stimulates the production of three other important feel good chemicals – endorphins (associated with feelings of pleasure, euphoria), serotonin (the mood stabiliser chemical nerve cells produce), and dopamine (the ‘pleasure-reward’ neurotransmitter). The combination of these four essential ‘feel good’ chemicals is what makes Cuddle Therapy pleasurable, and contributes to the many awesome benefits, such as:

• Decreases stress (reduces cortisol, thes tress hormone)
• Calms and relaxes mind and body – it’s that blissful “Ahhhh” feeling
• Mood enhancer, increasing joy and happiness
• Reduces aggression
• Reduces PTSD
• Reduces anxiety, especially social awkwardness
• Boosts affection
• Helps you sleep well, reducing insomnia
• Lowers blood pressure
• Reduces heart disease risks
• Relieves pain – oxytocin blocks pain signals
• Lowers inflammation
• Boosts the immune system
• Reduces cravings and weight gain
• Strengthens bonding in relationships
• Improves confidence and self esteem
• Improves overall health and wellbeing

Why cuddling helps combat stress

All of the above are the positives benefits of Cuddle Therapy in terms of reducing one’s day to day or chronic stress. It’s a also well-known, people who feel safe and secure within themselves, and in their relationships, tend to cope with stress far more effectively.

Having the comfort of a loving supportive relationship, be it with your parents, siblings or friends is nurturing, which in itself reduces stress – simply knowing someone always has your back, no matter how trying or problematic the situation may be, is deeply reassuring.

Additionally, knowing you’re loved and supported makes one feel courageous enough to take on, and cope with almost any stressful situation. This innate sense of safety and security goes a long way to effectively combating life’s daily or unexpected stresses. Frequent cuddles will undoubtedly reduce the detrimental effects of stress.