There's nothing like being wrapped in the arms of a stranger to ease your anxiety and stress levels. Professional cuddling is a method of therapeutic touch that has become increasingly popular.
Cuddling with a loved one can be comforting and emotionally satisfying. But cuddling with a professional cuddler? It's not as uncommon as you'd think, and it actually has some great therapeutic benefits. And yes, professional cuddling is real. Many folks seek out a professional cuddling experience for a variety of reasons, including (but not limited to) those wanting a human connection, those on the autistic spectrum, and those who may be going through a rough patch and need someone to simply hold their hand. Cuddling is a form of touch therapy, which is an alternative therapy that has shown immense benefits, according to several studies. In fact, Cuddlist, one of the many professional cuddling agencies available, has said:Cuddling provides safe, non-sexual, mutually beneficial touch that many of us never received in the past or currently do not experience in the present. Much like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, professional therapeutic touch is healing and transformative."
Now, it probably sounds a bit odd to hire a professional cuddler, or cuddlist. It's not really seen as a "real thing." Adam Lippin, CEO of Cuddlist, told Quartz.com, "It's really easy to look at this and roll your eyes."
I'll be honest, when I first heard about professional cuddling I thought it sounded strange and I definitely rolled my eyes at the idea. I mean, cuddling with someone you don't know? Kind of ... awkward. Cuddling is so intimate, and to share that intimacy with a stranger can be intimidating and frightening. However, after researching it and diving into how cuddling is helpful to people, I'm starting to come around to it.
At Cuddlist, every single cuddler goes through an extensive training process and must be certified prior to booking sessions. Potential cuddlers must complete the online course, attend a Cuddle Party group session, and take place in an evaluation session -- either a video or in-person evaluation. The process itself doesn't seem too daunting, and the prices for the application and certification phases are relatively cheap ($150 and $40 respectively), so you could make that money back after one to two hour-long sessions.
For those interested in just how much you could make, cuddlists make $80/hour on average. So, it actually isn't that bad of a gig, at least in terms of pay. If you're worried about the type of clientele you could be coming into contact with (literally), there's a rigorous screening process that must take place. Click here to learn more about how to become a cuddlist.
For more information on Cuddlist, you can visit its website. You can also check out the cuddlists available in Colorado by clicking here. Currently, there are three waiting with open arms.
Other cuddling agencies include Snuggle Buddies and Be Cuddled Today.
What are your thoughts on cuddling as a profession? Would you pay to cuddle with a stranger? What about becoming a professional cuddler? Let us know by commenting below, and we can get the conversation started.