How many hugs do we need a day? (2024)

FAQs

How many hugs do we need a day? ›

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”.

Hanning described findings that four hugs per day was an antidote for depression, eight hugs per day would achieve mental stability and twelve hugs per day would achieve real psychological growth. If this is the case, touch has a greater significance than most of us would realise.

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.

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.

The benefits go far beyond that warm, cosy feeling you get when someone wraps you in their arms. When we hug, our bodies release feel-good hormones — oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin — and we instantly feel happier, more relaxed, and less depressed. In short, our brains know this and yearn for it.

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”.

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.

"Nobody is ever too old to cuddle their parents," u/spaceymarziii said, adding, "Not wanting to baby or spoil your child is normal, though, and you shouldn't be too hard on yourself. This is a very simple situation, you can easily fix it by apologizing to and hugging your daughter."

Skin contact or physical touch, like hugging and holding, are great ways to help your child grow a healthy brain and a strong body. In fact, physicians have found that when children don't receive physical contact, their physical growth and development can slow down.

By 15 months, your toddler will give you surprise physical affection, so be prepared for hugs, cuddles, and sloppy kisses.

When a girl hugs you tight? ›

Flirting The person you're hugging may be trying to tell you that they're interested. The tight hug could be their way of saying: “I want to be closer to you”, while they press their body up against yours.

Can a boy feel a girl's breast while hugging? When hugging, a guy can feel your softness, but his chest doesn't really feel the outline of your breasts. The feeling is more of a general softness, than like actually feeling your breasts. What does being hugged feel like?

Healthier mouth – saliva contains substances that fight bacteria, viruses and fungi. Deep kissing increases the flow of saliva, which helps to keep the mouth, teeth and gums healthy. Increased immunity – exposure to germs that inhabit your partner's mouth strengthens your immune system.

👀 The Disney hug rule means that characters are to never let go of the child's hug first and to allow the child to hug as long as they want!

“When we did this second study, we talked to people,” she says. “They'd often say 'Oh yeah, the neck-waist feels a bit more intimate. '” In total, the results suggest the safest, most likely to be pleasant hug is one that's 5 to 10 seconds long with crisscrossed arms.

Hugs release oxytocin

Oxytocin is often called the “love hormone,” and it's released when we cuddle or bond. It's the reason why being hugged feels so good. So when you're feeling down, give someone a squeeze and feel your mood lift.

According to a world-renowned family therapist, We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 7 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.

Most hugs given in one minute by an individual 🤗 88 by @Samthompsonuk 🇬🇧 Sam Thomson. Louise Thompson Sam Thompson.

By dedicating a day to this act, Hug Day emphasises the importance of physical touch and emotional connection in maintaining strong, healthy relationships. Hugs are a universal form of communication that transcends language barriers, making Hug Day a celebration of the inherent human need for connection and affection.

If you want to feel even closer to your other half, here's how long you should be hugging your partner for peak intimacy. Get ready to start timing your embraces, because according to Psychology Today, hugging your significant other for 20 seconds can be extremely beneficial for your relationship.