To be human is to be connected to other humans. Hugging is a natural part of life. It's been hard lately for some due to Covid-19 to be connected to others, let alone get a hug. To be touched is powerful for mental and physical health.

I'm a hugger, and I miss hugging my family and friends. So many of us these days are living alone. The simple comfort of a hug or hand on the shoulder is no longer possible. Days, weeks, and months go by without any personal touch. However, we are so fortunate in Middleburg to have amazing, safe massage therapists. They wear masks and provide a respite from our isolation and an opportunity for safe and much-needed touch and relaxation. Studies have shown with touch, anxiety decreases, the mood is elevated, and the immune system gets a boost, to name a few. BodyBloom and Middleburg Massage Therapy are just two of the fantastic massage studios in town. If you want a nice relaxing scrub, then check out BodyBloom. I have had fabulous body scrubs with Peggy, who owns BodyBloom. I always try to get 90 minutes to have a massage at the end—total bliss. Middleburg massage therapy has several masseuses. Juliet, a fellow personal trainer, is also a masseuse at Middleburg Massage therapy. She has helped my daughter immensely with cluster headaches. Sherry is the owner of Middleburg Massage Therapy, and she is a masseuse to just about everyone. These are just the studios that I'm familiar with. There are many more in and around our town. Touch is so vital to each of us. If you would rather they come to you instead of the studio, I think most make home visits.

This is just one way you can add to your well being. Today we need to be touched more than ever. For more information about health and fitness, please contact; Kay Colgan, Middleburg Pilates, and Personal Training at 14 S Madison Street, Middleburg, Virginia, or call 540-687-6995.