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A clinical psychologist known as the Hug Doctora offers expert advice and a prescription for a 21-second hug every day. One of the many benefits of hugging is that longer hugs have proven physiological benefits. Hugs are good for the immune system, stress response, sleep patterns, and more.more.
List of contents
Contents
Foreword
Author's Note
Introduction
This Is How It Happened
Part I: Hugging Essentials
Part II: How to Hug
Part III: Embrace Yourself
Part IV: Embrace Life
Part V: Embrace Others
Part VI: Summing Up and Moving Forward
Why I Wrote Hug Therapy
Afterword
Appendix
About the Author
About the author
Stone Kraushaar, "The Hug Doctor," is a firm believer that all people share a profound human connection. The Hug Doctor loves working with people ((in the space of a hug)) for them to focus in on what really matters to them and be more deeply connected with their friends, family and beyond. Drawing on academic and professional experience as a psychologist and a therapeutic coach, a nurturing and supportive family, and a passion for helping people live powerful lives, The Hug Doctor sees relationships through the lens of hugging. To him, a hug, whether real or virtual, is a metaphor for lowering walls and bringing people together. He has devoted his life to developing the skills, tools, and attitudes to become a world-class hugger. A warm and affectionate person, the Hug Doctor is not only comfortable hugging complete strangers he loves nothing more than connecting with groups of people. His focus is on inspiring them about the power of hugging to live a more deeply connected and vital life. He is an expert resource for educating about longer hugs, 21-second hugs, and even coaches people to "get lost in the hug." He has created a powerful movement based on people going on 21-day hugging journeys about which he is extremely passionate. Prior to launching the 21-day hugging movement, Stone spent eight years as a staff psychologist with the Student Health Services at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Before settling in St. Louis, he worked with children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families in a group psychological practice. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Denver with his B.S. degree and also earned his master's and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology at the University of Denver. His doctoral dissertation explored how effectively a heterosexual therapist can provide therapy for male couples. His American Psychological Association (APA)-approved psychology internship was at the UCSB Student Health Services at the University of California-Santa Barbara. He completed his post-doctoral work at Yale student health services. Most recently The Hug Doctor was excited to be invited to speak as a hugging expert at the 32nd annual National Hugging Day event at Agape Spiritual Center in Los Angeles. He was honored as a founding member of The Hug Alliance http://www.thehugalliance.net/ to be a part of bringing together people of over 40 different nationalities and leading them in the world's largest 21-second hug. The Hug Doctor has also been pleased to be able to present his views on the power of hugging in the United States and Europe. He welcomes the opportunity to speak about the impact of longer hugs, going on 21-day hugging journeys and living in ((the space of a hug)).
Summary
Dr. Stone Kraushaar, a clinical psychologist known as “The Hug Doctor™” and the founder of “Hug Therapy™, brings us something more than a “feel good” book. It’s a “do good” book. The 21-Day “Hugging Journey™” in this book will allow you to quickly assess what is working in your life—and what isn’t.
Foreword
- More than nine million people in the country often or always feel lonely, according to a 2017 report published by the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness. Beating ourselves up in certain moments and not appreciating who we really are and what we really have.
- All over the world countries are in a decision-making process and working to better understand the impact of disconnection. For example, in the United Kingdom, (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/17/world/europe/uk-britainloneliness.html) the issue prompted Prime Minister Theresa May to appoint a minister for loneliness. Former United States surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, wrote an article for the Harvard Business Review arguing that loneliness needed addressing in the workplace. It can be associated, he wrote, “with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression and anxiety.”
- Incidents like school shootings are devastating. We must also be deeply concerned about the climate of fear that is steadily growing among students, families and communities across our country who are now feeling suddenly vulnerable where before they felt safe. Hug Therapy offers a tool to bring us closer and woven into the fabric of our communities can make a powerful difference. Doctor Stone and his team are reaching out to every school and community impacted by a shooting.
- The author is uniquely positioned as The Hug Doctor™. Doctor Stone’s ‘walk-the-talk’ compassion and kindness – as a visionary of The 21-day hugging journey can be turned into a strong competitive advantage in the marketplace.
