While there's no strict scientific minimum, family therapist Virginia Satir famously suggested needing 4 hugs for survival, 8 for maintenance, and 12 for growth, with many experts recommending aiming for around 8 hugs daily for emotional well-being, emphasizing quality and longer durations (around 20 seconds) to release oxytocin and reduce stress.
The 20-second hug is exactly as explained on the proverbial tin. It's not just a light pat or a quick squeeze. It's wrapping your arms around someone and hugging for about 20 seconds or more. Research shows that long hugs help your body release feel-good hormones and can reduce blood pressure.
Hugging Reduces Stress Naturally
Research has found that embracing reduces the amount of cortisol (stress hormone) in our bodies, releasing tension and sending calming messages to the brain.
A good snuggle feels so cozy. Turns out, it boosts your mental health too. Twentieth-century psychotherapist Virginia Satir is often credited with saying we need 4 hugs a day for survival, 8 for maintenance, and 12 for growth.
Did you know that hugging is scientifically proven to be good for your health? Virginia Satir, a world-renowned family therapist, is famous for saying “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”
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.
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.
Yes, it's a real thing. Lack of healthy, safe touch can leave us feeling starved for it. You might notice it as loneliness, sadness, more stress, body aches, trouble sleeping or feeling disconnected from others. Long-term hug deficiency can even affect your mood, relationships and physical health.
Some of the neurochemicals include the hormone oxytocin, which plays an important role in social bonding, slows down heart rate, and reduces stress and anxiety levels. The release of endorphins in the brain's reward pathways supports the immediate feelings of pleasure and well-being derived from a hug or caress.
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.
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.
The idea comes from renowned family therapist Virginia Satir, who famously said, “We need four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth.” While this isn't a clinical prescription, it reflects the growing understanding of how physical touch supports mental health.
How long should you hug for? The average hug lasts three seconds, but it is thought that 20 seconds provides us with the deep pressure we need to relax, as it tells our central nervous system we are safe.
How long can a human go without affection? There is no research into whether there is an exact amount of time that a person may go without affection before experiencing negative effects. Therefore, the amount of time people can go without physical affection or social connection may vary.
In some situations, a hug may be considered sexual harassment if it is unwanted or makes a person feel uncomfortable.
So what can you do to get the relief of a hug that you're looking for?
The rule is to go on a date with your partner every 2 weeks. Go on a weekend trip with your partner every 2 months. Go on a week-long trip with your partner every 2 years.
A strong and healthy relationship is built on the three C's: Communication, Compromise and Commitment.
The Primal Need for Connection. From infancy, humans crave touch as a fundamental aspect of bonding. Physical contact, ranging from a comforting hug to a reassuring pat on the back, plays a crucial role in shaping our emotional landscape. Lack of touch can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Being touch-starved is often described as feeling a deep need for physical affection that just isn't being met. It's sometimes called “skin hunger,” and it shows up in ways you may not expect—restlessness, loneliness, or even a quiet sadness you can't quite explain.
Symptoms of Emotional Neglect