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.
A 20-second hug reduces the harmful effects of stress, relieves blood pressure, and ensures a healthy heart. Increasing the hug ratio results in reduced blood pressure, decreased cortisol, improved healing, reduced cravings, and better immunity.
As well as being a very enjoyable thing to do, hugging your child is of real benefit. Every hug and physical touch counts; however, hugs that last for 20 seconds or longer are the ones that can be the most powerful.
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).
A 30 second hug can increase levels of oxytocin (the love hormone), lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), reduce blood pressure, and promote feelings of happiness, contentment, and closeness.
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.
Keep your hugs short and sweet.
When you're hugging your crush, the last thing you want is to make them feel smothered. Instead, limit yourself to a short, 3-second hug—that's how long most people hug for. As you and your crush get more comfortable with each other, you can always work up to longer hugs!
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.
Albers said there is a biological reaction to a hug. "There is a release of oxytocin. That is that feel-good chemical that when it's released, we feel bonded to those around us. There's also a decrease in cortisol, the stress hormone that pumps through our bodies when we feel stressed or overwhelmed," Albers said.
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.
26 couples from Thailand have set the Guinnes record for the world's longest hug, by lasting for a staggering 26 hours, 26 minutes and 26 seconds. The marathon, which was organized by Ripley's Believe It or Not museum in Pattaya, saw the group starting with 32 couples, the Daily Star reported.
According to family therapist, Virginia Satir, everyone (including our teens) need four hugs a day for survival, eight hugs a day for maintenance and 12 hugs a day for growth.” That may seem like a lot of hugs – especially for a fickle, sometimes snarky teen who isn't keen on being touched.
Hugging helps lower our stress throughout the day.
Like so many other unseen benefits, this all goes back to good ol' hormones. Some researchers believe that hugging and other interpersonal touch can boost a hormone called oxytocin and also affect our endogenous opioid system.
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”.
a physical hug though it's a normal greeting practice, has elements of male and female coming closer and rubbing each other face to face closeness including pelvic closeness. During that time female body parts rub male genital causing erections which you might have felt in Hugs.
Make quick, casual contact.
Lean in, bending from your waist. The idea here is not full-body contact, which is a much more intimate and personal hug. Wrap one arm around her arm and place your hand in-between her shoulder blades. Wrap your other arm around her and place your hand below your first hand.
A close, full-body embrace, with eye contact--that's what an Intimate Hug is. The eye contact takes this type of hug to a new level, because it is clearly about more than just physical touch. If you are experiencing hugs like these, it means you really have something special going on.
As long as both parties agree and set parameters, experts say kissing or showing other displays of affection with friends is all right – and the decision remains up to the respective parties alone.
A combination of a handshake and one-armed hug-or more typically manly version of a hug usually done between two male friends.
People who are natural huggers and/or who feel friendly toward you will often prefer to greet you with a hug instead of a handshake. When someone wants to hug, they will approach you with their arms open and their torso facing you in preparation for the embrace.
Flirty Hug
If you are at the onset of a relationship, this is the perfect way to express yourself without being bold. However, in an existing relationship, a flirty hug (which involves a little delicate touching) is a great way to keep the romance alive. If you do this often, you two are on the right track.
It is not just the act of the hug that makes these two embraces differ, but the feelings the hug gives you. If you feel comforted and safe, it is likely a friendly hug. If you feel aroused or connected, it may be a romantic hug.