Cuddling… NOT cut on the pre-existing condition list

 Just wanted to say that I am glad to see that cuddling didn't end up on the ridiculous pre-existing condition list.  (Sarcasm)

In ALL seriousness:  As a healthcare professional, I genuinely and honestly believe that cuddling ranks in the same category with massage, yoga, acupuncture, acupressure, reflexology,  chiropractics, and other various forms of energy work, body work and other healing arts.  It is also something we are in control of and can do for ourselves, without anybody else's permission or restriction or needing a prescription or insurance to obtain. When a genuine caring connection is made, the release of oxytocin is more powerful than many prescription and non prescription drugs. Powerful enough to bond an infant with its mother and what drives people to fall in love and stay in love, this is something we are all in control of when it comes to our own health. 

There are a ton of emotional and health benefits of cuddling in the release of oxytocin, forming trusting bonds and relationships with others.  The last 24 hours have been full of concern, anger, frustration and fear. It's unsettling that we are looking at a crisis in our country regarding healthcare being stripped away by a greedy few.   It has also become quite apparent that women are under attack by the government with the addition of so many misogynistic cuts that are clearly female specific. 

 Whether it passes or not, we can still care for each other and our own individual health without any government or insurance agencies intervening. 

 In a time when clearly people's well-being and health and emotional needs are under attack, specifically in America, it is nice to know that "cuddling" isn't on the chopping block. It seems like practically everything else was!

 Be good to ourselves, practice self care and care for others, and keep on cuddling. This is a health benefit we are all seeking here, and something nobody can take away. 

 

I'm fortunate to live in a country where we have a publicly-funded health system. Just the other day I was feeling unwell and started to experience sharp pains in my chest. Fearing the onset of a heart attack, I went to the hospital late at night. I didn't have to fill any forms out. I didn't even have to show ID. I just told them my name and other details, and what my health concern was. They took care of me for the 4 hours I was there for tests and observations. Then I was discharged with a referral to my General Practitioner (eg family doctor) and left the hospital without paying a cent. My visit to the GP cost me $18, and the prescription medicine cost me another $5. All thanks to public health, which is funded out of my 15% income tax. It's not all bad, if it's done well.

Regarding your comment "When a genuine caring connection is made..." I find that the exchange of money kind of ruins that possibility. One always wonders about the genuine-ness of someone who is with me only because I've paid them to be with me, as opposed to someone who is with me because she wants to be with me without expecting payment. I'm not saying that you're not genuinely caring, but for me personally that exchange of money alters the dynamic enough to make any caring seem dubious. I can understand that, with prostitution, it's a big ask to expect someone to be sexually intimate with someone they don't know. But in a cuddling scenario, where presumably both parties benefit equally from the exchange, I don't see the need for one party to pay the other party.

It's unfortunate that you feel that way about paid cuddling, but I would invite you to speak to the handful of gentleman that I personally know and/or have cuddled with. We have definitely made genuine caring connections and friendships.  We talk on the phone and text all the time, I'm not paid for that.  I care about them like I care about any of my other friends. I'm also a midwife, and when I have taking care of several of my friends through pregnancy and birth, they paid me for the professional services I provide even though we are still friends. I don't seem to have a problem sorting the two things out. 

 Perhaps you should find a cuddler who is a genuine empath? Or a person who is drawn to other human beings in their line of work? A healthcare professional or public servant of some kind? And just like we have said many times here before, it is inappropriate to use the word prostitution in these discussions here. 

Grace_Anna

@Frankincense
15% income tax? I pay 15% income tax here in the states plus I pay for pre-tax healthcare premiums and still have a deductible to meet if I actually need medical care.

funandadventure

@Grace_Anna. Health care in NZ is completely free, including operations and on going hospital care, But there is a long waiting list for non urgent surgery. (plastic surgery and alike)
Also we have the ACC  ( Accident Compensation Corporation ) Which was established many years ago, You can not SUE a person in NZ for an accident, ie you run some one over or car accident, they slip on a wet floor in you establishment, you poison them with food, you handle a medical procedure wrong. you can not be held personally libel, no need for insurance, the government and acc take control.
ACC is funded by Stock markets from around the world, ie huge sums of money collected by government for ACC over the years has been invested in stock markets and dividend payments and sell down of shares fund ACC, Our health care is paid for by your stock market.
I will add my personal income tax is 33% and I also pay 15% GST on all transactions, but IF i do not buy things I do not pay GST.
I hope I have made things a little clearer.
Love from John and his trees. Auckland NZ.

I likewise have made a meaningful connection with a pro.... and I am one who has posted mixed feeling in the past.

You GO, @FireAndBlue! Love your wise words as usual.

@Grace_Anna Your government's priorities are all wrong I reckon. That tax money should be spent for the benefit of the people. But the US spends as much on its military as the next 26 nations combined spend on their military.

Hey pal if North Korea wants to take you than don't ask us for help

@FireAndBlue I did not mean to imply that you were of that profession that we shan't mention. My apologies if you took it that way. And I wasn't aware that that word was a no-no around here.

@frankincense I didn't take it that way,  I state often throughout many of my posts that I am a Mom first, then Midwife, then a Cuddler last. I was just trying to help keep up the rules. 

The reason for my post was was to remind us all that even though the current "government" (or more accurately, regime)  in the United States is hell-bent on stealing our rights and our health insurance, we are all still in control of our own well-being. 

Oxytocin is VERY powerful. And it's available to ANYone if you know how to find it. 

@Starlight, you are awesome

No, *you're* awesome! We seem like two peas in a pod, @FireAndBlue, ideal-wise!

I always love coming to the forums to learn new things from everyone!