Making a Connection

Making a Connection
 
A friend of mine is getting married, and she stopped by to drop me an invite. We were chatting about all the excitement, anxiety ,and other emotions surrounding the fast-approaching  big day which led to her saying how she feels she has met her soulmate. She was telling me how she feels so “in sync” with her significant other. How her presence  is calming and reassuring, and how they feel like they have known each other forever. Basically, her partner “feels like home”. These, as I pointed out to her, ate just a few of the wonderful signs of entrainment.
Entrainment, is defined (by the American Psychology Association dictionary) as “the natural synchronization of brain waves to a frequency or rhythm presented via music or some other environmental stimulus”. As you may know, every person emits their own personal frequency, and spending a lot of time in close proximity to another person, particularly with their heart center, can cause entrainment. As a couple, my friends spend much time hugging and cuddling, which brings their heart centers into close proximity regularly. The love they feel for each other adds to the positive energy being shared, as they open their heart centers to each other. Studies have shown that a 30 second (consensual) hug (heart to heart) can help elevate one’s mood, and help people bond together. This is because hugging (when done mindfully) releases oxytocin; also called the “love” or “hug” hormone. As an article on www.frolicforlife.com states “The more you hug your partner, the more love and trust are built between you”. In our fast-paced world we often don’t take the time to do or enjoy these simple things that can bring/keep us close together, and that bring us little pockets of joy. Just another reminder that mindfulness matters.
Have you ever experienced entrainment with someone? Would you be willing to add a meaningful/mindful, fully "in the moment", 30 second hug to your daily routine to see what benefits it brings?