Everybody loves a
good cuddle, and one woman is capitalizing on people's need for regular hugs as
the UK's first professional snuggler. Kitty Mansfield, from Ramsgate, Kent,
opens her arms to people who 'crave intimacy' and want to cuddle up on the
sofa, or even in her bed, and is earning up to £360 a day doing it. The
45-year-old is happy to get cosy in front of a film or while listening to music
depending on what her customers want.
They can even stay
the weekend as part of her B&B weekend deal, and get into bed with two
women for a 'stereo snuggle' with Kitty and her second snuggler, Natalya 'It's
a therapeutic service for people who want to be snuggled,' Kitty said. 'People
can just come and talk, or they can snuggle wherever they want for as long as
they want, People want to feel a connection’. It's something we have lost out
on, touching has become a taboo.'
So much love to
give: Kitty Mansfield opens her arms to people who crave intimacy and want to
cuddle up on the sofa, or even in her bed
Dressed in her pajamas
and slippers, Kitty charges £45 an hour for her 'Be Snuggled' business just by
wrapping her arms around her clients at her seaside home. She even invites her
clients to bring along their favorite pillow, blanket or teddy bear. Kitty
said: 'From the moment we're born we want to be held, it's just natural. ‘I
think certain people are better at snuggling than others, but as I like to be
close to people, I think I do have a skill.’ Don’t cross the line: Kitty draws
a line at full intimacy and cuddlers have to wear underwear at all times
The service, which
is the first of its kind in the UK and just one of two in the world, is
completely non-sexual. Kitty’s rules clearly state that 'any inappropriate
requests or behavior will result in your immediate exit' and areas normally
covered by underwear are off-limits. She insists that underwear must be worn at
all times, and shorts and tank tops are prohibited - clients should wear pajamas
or a t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms. Kitty launched the business after working
as a holistic therapist for ten years, using the power of touch to soothe and
heal.
Entrepreneur:
Kitty launched her business, Be Snuggled, after 10 years working as a holistic
therapist
But while her
holistic massage has helped her clients deal with their aches and pains, she
always felt that a part of the jigsaw was still missing. After heavily
researching the benefits of 'snuggling', she opened Be Snuggled. She said:
'People love to be cuddled because it feels good and offers simple contact. However,
not everyone has a suitable cuddling partner, somewhere out there someone is in
serious need of human contact, yet he or she has no-one to turn to. At Be
Snuggled, you will discover a safe, warm and non-judgemental oasis where you
can step out of your everyday life, rediscover the pleasure of non-sexual
snuggling and enjoy the many psychological and physiological benefits of
cuddling. Kitty has also written a 'Cuddle Sutra' for her clients, which is
filled with detailed descriptions and illustrations, before deciding exactly
how they'd like to be snuggled. Cuddle Sutra: Kitty even has a list of
different types of cuddles that her clients can choose from. Here she poses
with 'snugglee' Mike Parker
Kitty's research has
taught her there is a lot more to being snuggled than merely getting close to
someone. 'One proven health benefit of cuddling is the release of oxytocin,'
she said. 'Known as the feel-good hormone, oxytocin creates a sense of
well-being and happiness. 'In addition, physical contact with others can lower
blood pressure and reduce stress. 'But Kitty, who is separated, is aware that
many will fail to understand the basics behind her Be Snuggled service. She
said: 'People think it's weird for people to just want to be cuddled if it's
not sexual. 'People have become so standoffish and political correctness has
taken over. 'I think I will get some criticism because it's not a standard type
of service I'm offering. 'But the way I see it, hostility is just a symptom of
fear.'
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