Meet the US woman who cured her homesickness by hugging strangers

London - A woman, who grew up in a small community, found a novel way to cure her homesickness when she moved to North Carolina - with hugs

Melinda Schmidt pledged to hug a new person every single day for the rest of the year.

Her warm smiles make her task easier, as otherwise her advances might be mistaken for something more sinister.

As there are very few social situations where asking a total stranger for a hug would be appropriate.

In a video of her mission Schmidt explains: ôNo matter how many people I met I just was missing the connection that I had with family and friends back home where we hugged often,ö the Daily Mail reported.

The camera then follows her as she approaches unknown people and asks them for hugs.

While some are reluctant at first, wondering what her motive is, others rush straight in.

Schmidt at times even gives her huggers feedback, telling one girl: ôOh, great hug!ö

She insists that she can see her influence in her friends who have up-ed their hugging and begun sharing æhug storiesÆ with her.

SchmidtÆs self-challenge of 365 days of hugs is now up but sheÆs still adamant on continuing with it for the rest of her life.

ôHugging has become a part of my life,ö she said.

ôI wonÆt ever stop doing this. I wonÆt ever stop hugging strangers and people who IÆve just met because itÆs a complete lifestyle change.

ôIt feels so good, I just couldnÆt stop now,ö she said.

Schmidt said that she especially loves hugging people who are having a bad day and can see the change in them after getting one of her hugs.

ôAll that stress kind of melts away,ö she said.

ôIn those moments I feel like a millionaire whoÆs giving away their riches to somebody that really needs it,ö she added.