Remember touch is essential and there is no substitution for a great big hug! As author and family therapist Virginia Satir once said, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth”.
The Importance Hugging Your Teen
There's a saying that a child needs four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and 12 for growth. So, how do you give your teenager 12 hugs a day? “Always hug your teenager when you first see him in the morning,” Markham advises.
Psychologists in London claim they have cracked the code on the ideal embrace, saying hugs should last between five and 10 seconds. According to researchers at Goldsmiths university, longer hugs were found to provide an immediate pleasure boost compared to shorter ones (lasting just one second).
When people hug for 20 seconds or more, the feel-good hormone oxytocin is released which creates a stronger bond and connection between the huggers. Oxytocin has been shown to boost the immune system and reduce stress.
Hugs strengthen your immune system and balance your body.
A hug results in some pressure on your sternum, which then stimulates the thymus gland, which then regulates and balances the body's production of white blood cells, which keeps you healthy.
And according to one study, it takes merely 7 seconds of a hug in order for your brain to signal the release of oxytocin — a hormone that is associated with, amongst other things, increased levels of trust, calmness and creativity.
Remember touch is essential and there is no substitution for a great big hug! As author and family therapist Virginia Satir once said, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth”.
Tight hugs have a positive impact on your body and your brain. Getting a hug from someone you love gives you a sense of familiarity and protection. A tight hug communicates friendship, warmth, acceptance, and appreciation. A long, firm hug makes your body produce more serotonin in your brain.
Psychologists Recommend Daily Passionate Kisses for a Healthier Relationship. Phycologists say that to maintain a healthy relationship, you should kiss your partner at least once a day, though ideally three times or more.
“Touch is a modulator that can temper the effects of stress and pain, physical and emotional. We have seen in our research that a lack of touch is associated with greater anxiety,” says Fotopoulou.
Keep your hands on the back of her waist if she intends to keep hers on your shoulders. Lean in closely and maybe even give a light kiss on her cheek or neck. Hug her tight and never be the first one to back away. Don't worry about it too much.
The flirty hug
According to the experts, this is how you give a flirty hug – “Wrap your arms around your partner's neck, lean your head on his chest, or hug her with one arm and draw her close.” A flirty hug may also entail stroking a person's arms, a tight back hug, or nuzzling their neck when leaning in.
Length and timing. A quick squeeze is usually platonic. The longer the hug lasts, the more likely it is that they have romantic feelings for you. Take timing into account, too.
It is completely normal and healthy. Most 13-year-olds are already tempted to experiment with themselves and date someone. The best thing an adult can say to a young person who is interested in kissing another child is: "You're old enough to know your own mind, and you should only do what makes you happy.
Kiss someone when you feel ready, regardless of how old you are. Around ages 12-15, people often start having their first kiss. Don't feel pressured by other people your age kissing people, and don't rush into kissing someone if you are apprehensive. You'll know intuitively when the time feels right.
It promotes healthy self-esteem
The hugs we give our children from day one helps to reassure them that they are loved. It develops a sense of self-confidence and a positive mindset in them. These associations of self-worth stay with them from childhood right up to adulthood.
Today, an average kiss lasts more than 12 seconds. In the 1980s, couples came up for air sooner than that: back then an average kiss lasted a mere 5.5 seconds. 3. Public kissing isn't always allowed everywhere.
When it comes to kissing, body+soul sexologist Gabrielle Morrissey says you need to kiss your partner every day for maximum relationship benefits, and three of those kisses need to be an extended passionate kiss. Researchers have found that seven seconds is optimal kissing time for a healthy relationship.
Lean forward and put your two arms around your crush, pressing the person you are hugging warmly toward you. If you are taller, the shorter person's arms should be around your neck, and you should embrace them around the waist. Keep them in that position for no more than a couple seconds, and let go as soon as they do.
Being hugged uplifts our mood. If you are feeling isolated or are going through a rough time, a hug releases endorphins. Endorphins are the body's natural pain relievers. These neurotransmitters increase our feelings of pleasure.
When you don't get enough physical touch, you can become stressed, anxious, or depressed. As a response to stress, your body makes a hormone called cortisol. This can cause your heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, and breathing rate to go up, with bad effects for your immune and digestive systems.