March 2016
Keep Calm and Just Hug Paula Pereira de Souza Reges
IFMSA - Brazil SUPREMA
reges.paula@yahoo.com.br
Studies suggest that, in addition to making people feel connected with others, hugs may prevent many health problems. There is an indication that feeling connected to others, especially through physical touch, protects from stress-induced sickness. Besides this, hugs can also act by stimulating the liberation of endorphins, increasing the feeling of well-being; as well as oxytocin, reducing blood pressure levels. Moreover, the act of hugging is a non-verbal form of communication, and can be the vehicle of understanding and empathy. That is why, on behalf of hugs’ powers, members of IFMSA Brazil on the local committee Suprema - Juiz de Fora performed the action named “Keep calm and your time is coming”. It was inspired by the well-known project Free Hugs, created in 2004 in Australia. This action took place on the day of the entrance exam for Medicine Course of Suprema College and it is based on giving hugs, and hope it helps others to release their stress on a difficult day.
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The idea of this campaign arose since the Brazilian process of entrance in medical colleges is hard and demands from the aspirant, a lot of calm and dedication. It involves a marathon of examinations, an ambience of exaggerated competitiveness and is definitely surrounded by huge pressure. And it is in this context that seamlessly interweaves the supply of hugs! This action was innovated by combining the “free hugs” and a wider dynamic, involving a dialogue. It allows tranquility to the candidates and an exchange of experiences between students who have cleared the entrance exam and those applying for a vacancy. And for this purpose, the SCORP team passed through a capacitation meeting, where skills of communication, empathy and positiveness were taught. As soon as the candidates left the examination spot, they were welcomed with open arms, a nice positive speech and personalized t-shirts.