Whether it's before, after, or during sex, or even instead of sex, I love cuddling. One of the ways that I realized that I was gay was the steong desire to be held by another man. There's just something about being lovingly held in a man's arms that is pure bliss. I love to cuddle.
The science behind cuddling's appeal all comes down to one word: hormones. A good cuddle, hug or loving physical interaction with another person (including sex) releases a trio of feel-good substances in your brain: 1) oxytocin, the chemical responsible for happiness; 2) endorphins, the chemicals released after a really tough workout or when you eat chocolate; and 3) dopamine, the hormone that regulates the pleasure centers in your nervous system and helps reduce blood pressure.
So let's release those hormones, and cuddle more.
This reminded me of an incident when I was in charge of the training of new members at the monastery when I was in my early 30s. At a meeting with other faculty and a small group of students (all in their 30s), one student remarked that he thought I was easy on the eyes and he would like to nap with me. Stunned silence all around, needless to say.
ReplyDeleteYears later after I left the monastery and got married to Tom, I thought of that incident differently. The student may not have been coming on for sex, although he was comfortably and openly gay. (And a little hot, BTW.) Maybe he just wanted a cuddle, a nap and a hug. I have certainly come to appreciate just how great cuddling is for my well-being. Some days all I want is to take a nap with my husband. He reads and the cats and I snuggle up beside him. It works for us all.
I'm dreaming of it all the time, more than having sex.
ReplyDeleteBUT, as I'm 64yo finding a «BF» or even a «cuddling friend» is very difficult.
Today, YOUNG men are very popular and us, old ones, are leftover alot.
Funny because you even put young men cuddling here and not «mature ones»...
I think the rest of my life will be a alone one in bed and in my whole life.
SNIFF! SNIFF!
I can't think of a more wonderful thing than cuddling. Human touch is so powerful. Holding hands, nuzzling into a man's neck, a gentle hand on my lower back or around my waist, a hug so tight I can't help but turn to jello. And then the cuddle. Head on shoulder, legs intertwined and spooning. I miss this more than sex. I crave it.
ReplyDelete