What is Cuddle Therapy?Cuddle Therapy was created by Travis Sigley in San Francisco several years ago. Having just moved to California and feeling isolated and alone, he suffered a physical injury that kept him bed-ridden for several weeks which only exacerbated that isolation and loneliness. Finally able to make some friends who were very affectionate and comfortable with non-sexual touching, as well as having lots of massage for his pain, he realised that the times he felt the best emotionally, and felt no pain physically, were the times when he was connected with others and being touched with love, compassion and affection. He understood that this is a universal need and set about building a business to help provide it for others.
Why Cuddle Therapy?Why do we need touch in our lives? Quite simply, the answer is because we are hard-wired that way. Our bodies, our brains, our nervous systems, our psyches, all depend on the communication of love, safety and acceptance through touch. It is well documented that babies who are not touched and held enough simply fail to thrive. They suffer more illnesses, allergies; are developmentally challenged in all areas of life, and often appear agitated and jittery. Having never received loving touch, they are often incapable of giving it, which means they are unable to form healthy attachments to others. They grow up to feel detached, isolated, unloved, and worse, unloveable.
BenefitsHealthy, loving, touch is beneficial in many ways. Because it calms the nervous system it automatically slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. The muscles relax which helps to improve blood circulation as well as lymphatic circulation. This improves oxygenation of the tissues of the body and the removal of cellular waste products that can make us feel sluggish and cause swelling. Because the body relaxes, muscle and joint pain is diminished and breathing deeply and completely becomes easier, which in turn furthers relaxation, ultimately leading to a better night’s sleep.
Compassionate, nurturing touch can ease the symptoms of IBS, fibromyalgia, the physical manifestations of stress such as headache, neck pain, upset stomach, and more. It stimulates the vagus nerve which is the primary conduit for feelings of empathy and compassion. Loving touch stimulates the hormone system, specifically increasing the production of oxytocin, often called the cuddle, or love, hormone. Oxytocin inspires feelings of love, pleasure, and acceptance, and directly lowers the stress hormone, cortisol. It also makes us want to share those feelings with others, so couples, families, indeed the world at large, benefit from healthy touch.
But perhaps it is our emotional health which benefits the most from nourishing touch. Today most of us, especially in the Western world, and despite being "connected" nearly 24/7 electronically, are living an increasingly touch-deprived existence. In too many parts of the world, societally and culturally we are discouraged from touching each other in simple, non-sexual ways. This leads to us feeling isolation and a sense of alone-ness, and the by-products of that are increased anger, competiveness, stress, agitation, anxiety and fear. Those, in turn, can lead to over-eating, compulsive behaviors of all types, alcohol and drug abuse, and depression, to name just a few ramifications of ill emotional health. Apart from the hormonal element mentioned above, the simple act of cuddling another cannot help but give us a feeling of connectedness which allows us to interact with the world from a much healthier, happier and less fearful place. We feel safe, we feel loved, we feel accepted. We feel able to cope, better able to self-soothe without substances, and more positive about ourselves, each other, and our place in the world.
What to expectThe principles of Cuddle Therapy are simple - body contact between two people. This can take the form of simply sitting side by side, holding hands; lying with your head in my lap, or spooning in our daybed. We can be clothed - pajamas are great for this - or it can be a semi-naturist cuddle wearing only underwear. Full nudity is inappropriate because the whole point of Cuddle Therapy is that it is loving, compassionate touch, not sexual touch.
It goes without saying that sessions are private. I do not travel and sessions are always held in my home. Your session can be with me, my husband or both of us together. The other spouse will always be in the house but you will not be disturbed by them. This allows all of us to feel safe and confident that nothing untoward will occur.
Good hygiene is essential, so I expect you to shower here before the Cuddle starts. No perfume or body spray should be used after your shower as I am allergic to many perfumes and colognes. I prefer it if you can also clean your teeth but breath mints will be available for the comfort of both of us.
Please be sure to have clean underwear or pajamas to put on and to arrive a few minutes early to allow time for your shower. If you like, you may also shower after your Cuddle as well.
Typically, once you’re here and showered and dressed appropriately for your Cuddle, we’ll climb into our large daybed. The lights will be dim, there will be soothing music playing quietly and we’ll begin your Cuddle time. We can talk if you like, or we can simply be quiet and breathe … it’s all about you, what you want and what makes your Cuddle the best for you! A few minutes before the end of your appointment, I’ll gently disengage and leave you to shower if you like, and get dressed again.
Why Cuddle Therapy?Why do we need touch in our lives? Quite simply, the answer is because we are hard-wired that way. Our bodies, our brains, our nervous systems, our psyches, all depend on the communication of love, safety and acceptance through touch. It is well documented that babies who are not touched and held enough simply fail to thrive. They suffer more illnesses, allergies; are developmentally challenged in all areas of life, and often appear agitated and jittery. Having never received loving touch, they are often incapable of giving it, which means they are unable to form healthy attachments to others. They grow up to feel detached, isolated, unloved, and worse, unloveable.
BenefitsHealthy, loving, touch is beneficial in many ways. Because it calms the nervous system it automatically slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. The muscles relax which helps to improve blood circulation as well as lymphatic circulation. This improves oxygenation of the tissues of the body and the removal of cellular waste products that can make us feel sluggish and cause swelling. Because the body relaxes, muscle and joint pain is diminished and breathing deeply and completely becomes easier, which in turn furthers relaxation, ultimately leading to a better night’s sleep.
Compassionate, nurturing touch can ease the symptoms of IBS, fibromyalgia, the physical manifestations of stress such as headache, neck pain, upset stomach, and more. It stimulates the vagus nerve which is the primary conduit for feelings of empathy and compassion. Loving touch stimulates the hormone system, specifically increasing the production of oxytocin, often called the cuddle, or love, hormone. Oxytocin inspires feelings of love, pleasure, and acceptance, and directly lowers the stress hormone, cortisol. It also makes us want to share those feelings with others, so couples, families, indeed the world at large, benefit from healthy touch.
But perhaps it is our emotional health which benefits the most from nourishing touch. Today most of us, especially in the Western world, and despite being "connected" nearly 24/7 electronically, are living an increasingly touch-deprived existence. In too many parts of the world, societally and culturally we are discouraged from touching each other in simple, non-sexual ways. This leads to us feeling isolation and a sense of alone-ness, and the by-products of that are increased anger, competiveness, stress, agitation, anxiety and fear. Those, in turn, can lead to over-eating, compulsive behaviors of all types, alcohol and drug abuse, and depression, to name just a few ramifications of ill emotional health. Apart from the hormonal element mentioned above, the simple act of cuddling another cannot help but give us a feeling of connectedness which allows us to interact with the world from a much healthier, happier and less fearful place. We feel safe, we feel loved, we feel accepted. We feel able to cope, better able to self-soothe without substances, and more positive about ourselves, each other, and our place in the world.
What to expectThe principles of Cuddle Therapy are simple - body contact between two people. This can take the form of simply sitting side by side, holding hands; lying with your head in my lap, or spooning in our daybed. We can be clothed - pajamas are great for this - or it can be a semi-naturist cuddle wearing only underwear. Full nudity is inappropriate because the whole point of Cuddle Therapy is that it is loving, compassionate touch, not sexual touch.
It goes without saying that sessions are private. I do not travel and sessions are always held in my home. Your session can be with me, my husband or both of us together. The other spouse will always be in the house but you will not be disturbed by them. This allows all of us to feel safe and confident that nothing untoward will occur.
Good hygiene is essential, so I expect you to shower here before the Cuddle starts. No perfume or body spray should be used after your shower as I am allergic to many perfumes and colognes. I prefer it if you can also clean your teeth but breath mints will be available for the comfort of both of us.
Please be sure to have clean underwear or pajamas to put on and to arrive a few minutes early to allow time for your shower. If you like, you may also shower after your Cuddle as well.
Typically, once you’re here and showered and dressed appropriately for your Cuddle, we’ll climb into our large daybed. The lights will be dim, there will be soothing music playing quietly and we’ll begin your Cuddle time. We can talk if you like, or we can simply be quiet and breathe … it’s all about you, what you want and what makes your Cuddle the best for you! A few minutes before the end of your appointment, I’ll gently disengage and leave you to shower if you like, and get dressed again.