This Morning viewers were left cringing as they tuned into the ITV programme on Monday morning when host Ben Shephard engaged in a rather awkward hugging session with a professional cuddler.
Anikó Rose charges strangers up to £75-per-hour to overcome stress with hugs. Professional cuddler Anikó has been doing it for over three years and speaking to hosts Cat Deeley and Ben, the 42-year-old says that the “act of touch” can help those struggling with their mental health – including stress, loneliness and trauma.
According to Anikó, a cuddle can help release feel-good hormones which allows the nervous system to calm down. The “happy hormone” that the snuggle expert is referring to is oxytocin – which is often called the “love drug” as it triggers feelings of love and protection. During her appearance on This Morning, the professional tested out her highly sought after hugs with Ben – as viewers couldn’t help but cringe at home.
Image:
ITV)
Even Ben’s co-host Cat couldn’t hide her awkwardness as she threw some looks down the camera lens as Anikó and Ben fell into a deeper hug on the sofa after testing out a standing hug as Anikó proved why men fork out a whopping £75 for one hour with her. The professional closed her eyes and sunk into Ben’s shoulder as she got deeper into the hug.
“This is one of the most awkward things I’ve ever watched on TV – and morning TV at that. How sad do you have to be to pay for a hug omg,” one viewer complained. “OMG this is painful to watch,” another echoed. “Not me turning on This Morning and Ben wrapped around some strange woman,” someone else joked.
“Cat couldn’t look more uncomfortable if she tried,” another viewer Tweeted. While someone else complained: “Gosh, it must have really been a slow news day for these guys. Filling up slots with a professional hugger? What.”
Image:
ITV)
Anikó, who lives in Manchester, also says that a cuddle session simulates dopamine and serotonin which is scientifically proven to lower levels of stress.
She said: “It’s a very rewarding job – that’s why I do it. Touch has a soothing effect whether it’s through a hug or holding hands. Because of this calming effect, touch can also lower your heart rate, and blood pressure, lessen depression and anxiety, and relieve pain.”
Although it may seem like a controversial form of therapy, Anikó insists the private cuddle sessions are non-sexual. Professionals undergo training to get a qualification and there is a strict code of conduct that both the client and therapist must abide by.
full video
Many viewers of This Morning were left cringing at the awkward hugging session between host Ben Shephard and professional cuddler Anikó Rose.
Anikó charges up to £75-per-hour for her cuddling services, claiming that the “act of touch” can help with mental health issues such as stress, loneliness, and trauma.
She explains that cuddling can release feel-good hormones like oxytocin, which can help calm the nervous system and trigger feelings of love and protection.
During her appearance on the show, Anikó demonstrated her hugs with Ben, leading to uncomfortable reactions from viewers at home.
Some viewers criticized the segment, calling it awkward and questioning the need for professional cuddling services.
However, Anikó defends her work, stating that cuddle sessions can stimulate dopamine and serotonin, scientifically proven to reduce stress levels.
She emphasizes that her sessions are non-sexual, with strict codes of conduct for both clients and therapists.
Despite the controversy surrounding professional cuddling, Anikó finds the job rewarding and believes in the soothing effects of touch therapy.
Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.
Source: Tampa Bay Times
