Feeling hugged is a mix of physical pressure and brain chemistry, creating warmth, calm, and connection through the release of hormones like oxytocin and serotonin, reducing stress (parasympathetic system activation) and promoting feelings of safety and pleasure, a response rooted in our innate need for touch, known as skin hunger. It feels like a soothing, grounding embrace, potentially bringing tears or deep relaxation, depending on the intensity and relationship.
Grab your own shoulders and tuck your chin towards your chest. Give yourself a full on hug. Then, open your arms wide and start again. Repeat your hug several times while alternating which arm is on top each time. It is like someone new is hugging you.
The "4 8 12 hug rule," popularized by family therapist Virginia Satir, suggests humans need 4 hugs a day for survival, 8 for maintenance, and 12 for growth, emphasizing the physiological and psychological benefits of touch, like stress reduction and oxytocin release, though studies suggest hug length (around 20 seconds) matters more than just the number.
Weighted Pillow that Cuddles You to Sleep: Cuddle Sleep is a soft weighted pillow that simulates the feeling of being cuddled. This helps improve overall sleep quality. Cool and breathable design: The Cuddle Sleep weighted pillow incorporates a 4-layer Cotton shell to ensure breathability.
The Hug Me Filter is an AI-powered video effect that generates a short, heartwarming hug animation using a single portrait image. On Media.io, users simply upload a photo, and the platform uses its AI Hug Video Generator to create a realistic video where an AI-generated companion hugs the subject.
Hugs Increase Well-Being
Being hugged uplifts our mood. If you are feeling isolated or are going through a rough time, a hug releases endorphins. 3 Endorphins are the body's natural pain relievers. These neurotransmitters increase our feelings of pleasure.
After a six seconds in a hug, the brain starts to release oxytocin and serotonin. If you hold a hug for six seconds, your brain now starts to release by the way, serotonin and oxytocin into both of you. Oxytocin, you know, you're getting pleasure from that. It also increases your immune system and reduces depression.
The 2-2-1 pillow rule is a popular interior design formula for arranging five pillows on a sofa or bed, creating a balanced, layered look: two large pillows (often squares/euros) anchor each end, two slightly smaller pillows nestle inside them, and one unique, smaller statement or lumbar pillow goes in the center as the focal point, adding texture and color. This method provides symmetry and visual interest by using graduating sizes and contrasting textures, making furniture look polished and inviting.
The rarest major sleeping position is often cited as the Starfish (on your back with arms up), with only about 5-7% of people sleeping that way, but stomach sleeping (prone position) is also very uncommon, with less than 10% of adults preferring it, making it a strong contender for rarest, though sometimes considered a major type, not just a variation. More niche or minor variations, like specific fetal or "T-Rex arms" (bent wrists), might be rarer still, but data focuses on broad categories.
Marina Khidekel founded Hugimals World as an answer to her own anxiety. She spends her Sundays watching “Hacks,” hanging out with other female founders and dropping in at a factory. For 20 years, Marina Khidekel worked at magazines like Cosmopolitan and Women's Health, and as chief content officer for Thrive Global.
When a hug lasts at least 20 seconds, it's long enough to stimulate the release of oxytocin, often called the “cuddle hormone.” Oxytocin is released in response to soothing touch and promotes feelings of connection, trust, and emotional safety.
Ever wondered how long a hug lasts? The quick answer is about 3 seconds, according to a new study of the post-competition embraces of Olympic athletes. But the long answer is more profound.
The longest marathon hug lasted 32 hours, 32 minutes, and 32 seconds.
If you're feeling hug-deprived, try these 3 alternatives to get some of the same mental health benefits that hugging provides: wrap yourself in a weighted blanket, learn the art of self-hugging, cuddle with your pet.
A Man Can't Resist Your Touch In THESE 7 Places
The unhealthiest sleeping position is generally considered to be sleeping on your stomach (prone position), as it forces your neck to twist and flattens the natural curve of your spine, leading to neck, back, and shoulder pain, numbness, and poor sleep quality. An overly curled fetal position is also harmful, causing joint stiffness and restricted breathing, while sleeping on your back can worsen snoring and sleep apnea for some individuals.
Sleeping Positions • Comfortable: Gorillas lie on their backs, sides, or stomachs, often curling up. Family Bonding: Group members sleep close together for warmth and security. Nighttime Behavior • Quiet Time: Gorillas become quiet as the sun sets and focus on foraging.
The AAP generally recommends no pillows under 2 years of age. This age guideline is based on factors such as the reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and the development of motor skills that allow toddlers to maintain open airways while sleeping.
Another thing to consider is the need for multiple pillows on the bed to breathe while sleeping. This may be a sign of an underlying heart condition. A common question doctors ask when diagnosing a heart condition is, “How many pillows do you sleep with?”
The "2/3 sofa rule" is an interior design guideline suggesting your sofa should occupy about two-thirds (2/3) the width of the wall or space it's against to ensure visual balance, preventing it from looking too big or too small. This rule also extends to other furniture, like a coffee table being about two-thirds the width of the sofa, creating harmony, flow, and comfortable proportions in a living room.
A hug at the waist is indeed one of the most romantic and intimate hugs! A hug at the waist brings one partner below the shoulders of the other, down and closer to the stomach during this embrace.
When we touch – cuddle, hug, or holding hands – our bodies release “feel good” hormones. These hormones include oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. Once the hormones are released into our bodies we experience feelings of happiness, relaxation, improve mood, and lower levels of depression.
For those who didn't experience this kind of affection, feelings of insecurity and self-doubt can linger into adulthood. They might question their worth or constantly seek validation. It's a tough road to walk, but it's important to remember that everyone is worthy of love and acceptance.