Hugs are just fucking wonderful. Even the word cuddle makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. But there’s not always someone around to provide the comfort that only comes from being held. Tenderly.
Thank goodness us ‘lonely millenials’ don’t need to worry anymore. Cuddlist.com is a service that provides ‘therapeutic, non-sexual cuddle session’ with a professional for $80 (£55), and business is booming.
The company currently employs 40 cuddlers, but CEO Adam Lipin sees the business expanding in the future due to growing demand. ‘We have all kinds of clients; men, women, old people, young people – they come for the personal touch and human interaction. That’s what I value about it.’
This cuddling malarkey is all strictly platonic, but what about the risk of awkward boners? John*, a professional cuddler at Cuddlist discusses the ins-and-outs (or lack thereof): ‘When you hold someone or touch someone there can be something sexual about it, but there are ways of dealing with it and it requires a maturity and a sense of shared values – we know why we are here and it’s not because of that.’
If NYC is a bit far to go for an embrace, there are similar businesses springing up all over the UK.
Kitty Mansfield, founder of BeSnuggled.co.uk even offers her London-based clients The Silver Screen Snuggle – two hours of cuddling whilst watching your choice of DVD. Popcorn is provided.
It turns out there are plenty of health benefits to cosying up too. Studies have shown that hugs can boost happiness, soothe anxiety and even decrease food cravings.
Of course, if you can get your hugs for free then by all means spend the money elsewhere. Maybe even buy a thank you card for your big spoon.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.
*Some names have been changed.