How Many Hugs You Need a Day and why

How Many Hugs You Need a Day and why

  

  • hrutuja
    HRUTUJA PATKAR
    182 pts
    Rising Star


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    Do You Know How Important A Hug Is For Everyone? If Not, Then This opinion Will Enlighten You.

    Did you ever have a bad day, and nothing seemed to be good for you? Have you ever felt down and just felt as though things are crushing you?

    And like it feels as though everything or anything is overwhelming you at a point? But then suddenly, someone offers you a hug, and everything starts to make sense.

    All of a sudden, you feel that things are okay, and the bad things that happened on that day don't affect you that much.

    More often than not, we seem to forget the importance of a hug. The hugs that we give or receive are not a huge gesture to most of us. And people deem it insignificant or not that essential thing. But one must ask the people who have experienced the difference a hug makes in a person’s life. Only then we will come to know of its importance.

    The instant you get hugged or hug someone, the energy it produces is so much positive. Especially when that hug is between two close people or loved ones.

    Not only that, a hug contains numerous positive effects on a human being. As per scientific research, when two people hug for longer, they create hormones called oxytocin. The hormones play a role in creating a bond between those people. It is responsible for the hormonal response to love and labor. That is why you feel safe and trust by the person you are hugging. These hormones make you feel like this. Therefore, hugging is considered as one of the main parts of human development.

    Hugs are one of the best ways to comfort someone else or yourself. Those are the actions that are wordless but still create such a huge impact on us. And it is just not for comfort only. You can just hug someone if you feel like (unless you are a stranger and makes them uncomfortable. That will be creeping). Hugs never are dependent on a reason or an occasion. You can hug someone irrespective of these factors. Your hug can even create confidence in someone or cheer them up when they are feeling low. All of these apply to you as well.

    Hugs are there to make you feel good. Even scientists back on the fact that a hg makes you healthier and happier.

    How Many Hugs Do We Need A Day?

    A human needs a minimum of four hugs a day in general. When it is about your mental health maintenance, there is a requirement of eight hugs per day. And twelve hugs are required for your overall growth.

    There are no limits as to how many hugs you will need to have in a day. But if we believe the therapists and their research, then the more hugs we have, the more it is better for us. Well, the more, the merrier.

    Sadly, this has become like a privilege for us nowadays. Since we are opting to have more and more nuclear families or simply decide to live alone, we are becoming touch-deprived. This is much of a problem in western countries like America.

    Besides, it is not always considered a good thing to even touch someone who is not related to you, let alone offer a hug. These are believed to be bad signs, especially for a girl. But in order to stay happy and healthy, relieve your stress, want to make yourself better, and improve communication, asking for a hug is always a good option. Just make sure to ask from someone who at least knows you personally.

    Friends and family are always a good option to go to for a hug. Like this, you are not going to make someone else feel uncomfortable asking for a hug and will also not feel uncomfortable and awkward yourself.

    It also indicates a sign of emotional support. When you offer someone a hug, or you get offered a hug, either way, it shows the dynamics and possibility of emotional support from the person who is offering one. Moreover, it will make you trust that person and emotionally open up to them. Thus ensuring and improving your mental health as well. This is the way a hug works.

    But there are also people who do not have anybody to ask this from, such as Keanu Reeves. You are going to find people who offer this kind of social service. These people will stand in some public place and offer you hugs for free to make you feel better and comfort you for whatever hardships you are going through. And more often than not, it works wonders on people.

    What Is A Good Hug? How To Give A Good Hug?

    Now that we have understood the importance of a hug in our lives, there arises a question of what is a good hug and how to give a hug like that.

    Hugs are a great way of dealing with stress and achieving the best mental health. But it can get awkward or go wrong if you fail to do it properly. Besides, it can also lose some significance or maybe not have the desired impact if it goes wrong.

    So, it is better to know how to do it properly.

      1. Make Eye Contact

      Making eye contact can build trust for the person who is offering the hug as it is considered as a sign of a more reliable, warm, sociable, and honest person.

        2. Approach Slowly

        This means that you need to wait for a signal to know that hugging them is okay. Or else, you can make the person uncomfortable.

          3. Reading Body Language

          This is making sure that the person you are offering a hug to is accepting your hug. Or it is just simply you forcing it on them.

            4. Opening Your Arms

            This might seem a little silly and obvious, but it shows them that you are allowing them to invade your personal space and being physically vulnerable too.

              5. Taking Deep Breaths

              This act allows both persons to synchronize their breathing.

                6. Lean In The Hug

                In order to get complete benefit from a hug, you need to lean into it more. Just be more careful as to not make the other uncomfortable.

                  7. Keep The Touch Light In The Beginning

                  Many people do not like to be touched like this immediately or do not like to be touched at all. Therefore, to ensure and maintain their comfort level on this, you need to start with a light touch. Just by this, you are going to know how much okay they are to be hugged.

                    9. Being Genuine

                    Do not have an ulterior motive behind hugging someone. The only intention you need to have for offering a hug to someone is to share a moment of warmth and bond. Or maybe to comfort someone. But nothing should be expected in return.

                      9. Length Of The Hug

                      The best hug should at least last for 20 seconds. It is the minimum amount of time for the emotional and physical benefits of hugs to start working. Ending it sooner can make things awkward.

                        10. Disengage Gently

                        Once the time is deemed proper to end the hug, do it gradually. Do not do it suddenly or abruptly. If possible, end it with a light touch on the arm or hands stroking. Or even a smile will be good. Most of the time, no words are needed once it ends.

                        How Long Should a Hug Last?

                        Another thing to know here is how long a hug should be.

                        As I stated before, while hugging someone, our bodies release hormones called oxytocin. This hormone makes it possible to trust the other person whose hold you are in. These are also responsible for decreasing stress levels and anxiety, therefore relaxing us. This hormone is also known as the “cuddle hormone.” When it is released after the twenty seconds of a hug, it also lowers blood pressure and reduces stress hormones.

                        So to conclude the question, longer hugs are better for the above reason.

                        Engaging in such gestures like cuddling or hugging enables us various important positive benefits that we can’t afford to live without. Those who have been in an affectionate relationship and have been into these gestures or touching more often, they are less likely to fall sick. Hugs are also considered to be pain relievers as well.

                        Stress is not good for health and invites problems like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Hugs are a sure-shot treatment to reduce the possibilities of such problems.

                        So you can start by hugging the family members or friends that are closest to you. And then, eventually, you can be generous with your hugs too. When you are unable to lift the spirits of people close to you or are unable to help them when they need it, then the best thing you could do for them is to hug them. This one can make you both feel tremendously better.

                        Different Types Of Hugs

                        Now, it may come as a surprise, but there are different types of hugs people give. And all of them do mean different things.

                        So, let’s not waste more time and get to know what are the different types of hugs.

                          1. Side Hug

                          When two people hug each other by entwining their arms around their waist or shoulders, it is called a side hug.

                          Usually, both the people stand side to side (hence the name) and use opposite hands off each other to hug.

                          This type of hug is more commonly done by acquaintances. Basically, with people you are not comfortable with and are not completely okay with hugging them, you just do not want to be rude. It is also a sort of encouragement style adopted to encourage someone without saying anything.

                            2. Friendly Hug

                            This hug is common between friends. In this type of hug, the people involved are hugging with their arms around a part of their torso or their neck, but their lower body is not touching.

                            This clearly indicates the lack of romantic or sexual relationships or possibilities. On most occasions, these hugs are really quick to end.

                              3. The Back Hug

                              Depending on the involved parties’ relationship, this hug can be romantic or parent-child hug. The majority of the time, it is of romantic nature.

                              If it is between a couple, then it is a way of bonding and physically staying close while viewing something at the same time. It is also the greatest hug for a parent-child to exchange. It literally indicates that I have got your back.

                                4. Hugging From The Waist

                                This hug is between romantic partners. The partners’ waist is aligned facing each other, and arms are wrapped around both their waists. They can easily look into each other's eyes in this position.

                                This hug is really intimate. Also, it is a way to provide possibilities of things going further like intensely gazing into each other’s eyes or for kissing.

                                  5. Bear Hug

                                  It is like a common hug. However, it is much tighter and closer than a normal hug and is done standing. Couples can also attempt this hugging while lying. That is called a love blanket.

                                  This hug gives the feeling of being safe and feeling warm, similar to being in a womb. lose friends, romantic partners, and family members can all appropriately hug each other in a bear hug. It is one of the most satiating hugs of all.

                                    6. One-Sided Hug

                                    In this hug, one is receiving the hug, and the other is giving it while facing each other. The giver stands more firm and supports the weight of the other, squeezing them tight, who is typically limp.

                                    It is one of the most emotionally supportive hugs. It is when the receiver is crumbling and needs an anchor to hold themselves both physically and emotionally.

                                      7. Heart To Heart

                                      Just as the name suggests, the people hugging each other do it in a way that their hearts are touching first. This hug is possible both whiles sitting as well as standing.

                                      This hug is for couples who want to be intimate with each other. It is also great for people who don't like hugging but want to appease a loved one who likes physical touch.

                                      Benefits Of Hugging

                                      We have already briefly discussed the benefits of hugging on a person’s physical and human well-being. Now, let’s understand them in more detail.

                                      Reasons Why You Need To Hug

                                      Makes Heart Healthy

                                      Oxytocin is released while being embraced in our bodies. It makes us feel warm and comforted. It also makes us trust the person more whom we are hugging. Hugs can regulate our heartbeats as well.

                                      Helps You Communicate Your Feelings Better

                                      The way we touch others or physically interact with each other is one of the ways we communicate with them. Touch is a much more personal and intimate language of communication. The way we squeeze someone’s shoulder indicates our support for them without saying anything. The way we hold hands with someone shows our intentions of never letting go.

                                      Similarly, the way we hug also communicates so many emotions and messages. It shows longing, comfort, emotional or physical support, or just pure affection. In this way, it expresses so many things which can be harder to say in words. And similarly, it ensures our emotional well-being so much.

                                      Helps You By Reducing Your Stress

                                      The number of hugs is directly related to the immunity system. In today’s time, people have to deal with a lot of stress. And because of the stress, there are a lot of health issues that we are facing today.

                                      As per the researchers, the people who were more engaging in hugs frequently were getting less sick in comparison to the ones who didn't. And even if they did get sick, their symptoms were less dangerous.

                                      Hugs Provide You With Unspoken Encouragement

                                      One of the most stressful activities for people is speaking in public. A study published in behavioral medicine shows who had a twenty seconds hug from their partners or closed ones before speaking experienced lower heart rates in comparison to those who had no physical contact.

                                      It Lowers Your Cortisol Levels

                                      One of the reasons why hugging encourages participants before a stressful activity, as such public speaking, is because hugging somewhat reduces the levels of stress indicators.

                                      There are reports that support the statement that hugging manages to decrease the cortisol in our bodies that are known as stress hormones.

                                      Your Oxytocin Levels Are Naturally Boosted Through Hugging

                                      Oxytocin is a hormone in our body that is named “cuddle hormones.” This is because it is important in a relationship to develop trust, comfort, safety, and bonding between the people involved. Through hugging, your brain naturally produces oxytocin in your body. This, in turn helps bonding and strengthening a relationship. It is also associated with the better health of our hearts.

                                      Hugging Is A Form Of Pain Reliever

                                      There are a number of ways that can reduce pain in our body through hugging. The first way is that hugging releases more endorphins in our system, Which causes pain to block significantly. The second way is to improve blood circulation in our body. This also acts as a pain reliever.

                                      It Helps You Feel Less Lonely

                                      In this age of social media and technology, we are definitely more connected than ever. It is just not in a very physical way. It is no surprise that we go on without much physical interaction for a very long period of time. It is one kind of isolation. This is not healthy for us and can get us depressed over time.

                                      Oxytocin is also called “social hormones.” The release of this hormone in our body while hugging can help us fight the feeling of loneliness and isolation. It also helps you feel more connected to others and trust other people as well.

                                      It Is Helpful For You To Handle Conflict

                                      Whenever you have conflicts in your life, everything turns bad for you. You are in a mess and loss. You do not know what to do to handle the conflicts. At least you are not completely prepared for it. And you are sure to feel overwhelmed and distressed over those conflicts. And, of course, those ugly feelings overflowing in your conscience certainly don’t help.

                                      A study has found out that if you receive a hug after those conflicts, preferably from a near and dear one, then you are capable of handling the ugly emotions in a much better way. So make sure to give or receive a warm hug if you get into a fight with someone.

                                      Hugs Make You Happier

                                      Oxytocin is produced in our body when we hug someone for 20 seconds. Scientists have found that it has a huge impact on human life, especially for women. Oxytocin helps in the reduction of blood pressure and also reduces the amount of stress hormones called norepinephrine.

                                      The ones who had a strong relationship and exchanged hugs with their partner had more of an impact of oxytocin in them. Besides, their partner, while holding or hugging their infants, oxytocin had a positive effect on people, especially women. It need not be explained that positivity is so much important to live happily. So the positive impact of oxytocin in our system can be a reason for us to be more happy.

                                      Conclusion

                                      Hugging has loads of physical and emotional benefits to it. It is even for the people who do not like or are not comfortable enough with physical touch or gestures. It can vary from person to person depending on the relationship, comfort levels, and intentions of the people involved in hugging.

                                      If you want to feel better about yourself, want to reduce your stress levels, improve your communications and emotional well-being, and just want to be happier and healthier, then giving hugs can definitely be a great way to achieve that.


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