Professional Cuddlers Offer ‘Virtual Snuggling’ in Pandemic

With social distancing measures continuously in place, it has become harder than ever to connect with others.

Physical touch is an important part of the human connection, but due to the pandemic, high-fives, hugs, and even pats on the backs are now off limits.

With many people hungry for some form of contact, professional cuddlers, who have created a business by providing warmth, comfort, and a sense of calm, have begun offering an alternative to physical touch called “virtual snuggling.”

According to The Guardian, there are mental and physical benefits from social touch. A hug from a friend can help release the anxiety-reducing hormone oxytocin and helps reduce loneliness, depression, and stress.

“There’s no substitution for human touch, but it definitely helps bridge the gap,” Randy Wade Kelley told the publication following a recent cuddling session, but he said he’s grateful for the virtual connection.

View this post on Instagram

#CuddleQueenJean here discussing the sensitive nature of #professionalcuddling for people experiencing #grief As many of you know, my dad died last April. I spent ten days on an emotional roller coaster of sadness, laughter, sibling friction, nostalgia, empathy and pure grief. Even though there was support available on the home front, I made the excellent choice to deepen my self-care with a professional cuddling session. Who – you might ask – was my professional cuddler? Even though I was in South Florida, across the country from my Los Angeles cuddle community, I was less than an hour’s drive from Jay – a cuddler who certified with Cuddle Sanctuary in 2017. Isn’t that incredible serendipity? This was my first session with Jay and he had every right to be nervous. After all, I was his teacher, right? What I experienced was the pure flow of a loving, gifted compassion-worker. Jay was the perfect person to hold me while I cried, blew my nose then cried some more. Here are some of the qualities that Jay embodied that made my session so memorable and wonderful. Calm- As any client might, I felt vulnerable requesting a session. What helped me every step of the way was Jay’s calm demeanor. Attunement- Jay gave me a choice of where to make myself comfortable for what’s typically called a “Check-in.” “Good Energy”- I arrived at Jay’s feeling kind of fucked up and left happy. Ready to try it? Whether you’re grieving like me or simply need some everyday TLC, maybe it’s time to give this thing called professional cuddling a whirl. You can meet Cuddle Sanctuary peeps (including Jay) or try Cuddlist or Certified Cuddlers who are also doing great, diligent work training professionals.

A post shared by Cuddle Sanctuary (@cuddlesanctuary) on Jan 23, 2020 at 1:33pm PST

So, what is a virtual hug? Well, it’s meant to mimic the effects of an actual hug, which is why Franzblau has clients lie on their side with one arm stretched under their head and the other near their torso so that they can hold themselves.

The “virtual connection” can also mimic the intimacy of touch through “increased computer screen eye contact,” according to Madelon Guinazzo, co-founder of cuddle therapist training platform Cuddlist.

“We can’t actually cuddle but it’s some sort of connection,” Guinazzo said. “It’s like when you’re used to having your favorite meal, let’s say lasagna, and then somebody says here’s a substitute lasagna. It’s OK as long as you’re expecting it not to taste like lasagna.”

CuddleUpToMe founder Samantha Hess offered an 11-minute video titled “virtual gazing” that aims to connect from afar.

In-person sessions will have personal restrictions that include wearing a face mask throughout the whole visit, not talking when two people are within six feet of each other, and capping sessions at 30-minutes per client per day.

An emphasis will be placed on hand washing for both cuddler and client at the beginning of the session.

As for the cuddle poses, the only ones allowed will be those where two people are not facing each other including, “big/little spoon, lazy spoon, back scratcher, or pyramid.”

They’ve also started a group that is accessible to anyone through a Patreon donation in addition to virtual sessions conducted by phone or Zoom to ease the sense of loneliness.

LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM AppFollow RADIO.COMFacebook | Twitter | Instagram