Share A Hug Day: The Benefits Of Physical Touch And Affection
While they may sometimes be taken for granted, hugs can be a means for people to receive comfort, reduce stress, and strengthen their bond with others. There are many reasons to hug someone, including but not limited to getting a promotion at work, moving into a new house, or welcoming a new child into the world. Some people hug to offer comfort, peace, or support to someone who is hurting.
Hugs can be exchanged between friends, partners, and family members. A hug is a universal sign of affection and compassion. Share a Hug Day is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the value of hugging and "showing compassion and care for other humans. Whether you enjoy physical touch or wish to abstain, there are several ways to show your loved ones you care on Share a Hug Day.
What is a hug?
Hugs are a non-sexual interpersonal touch used to communicate affection and promote well-being. A consensual and welcome hug tells someone you care about, love, or miss them without using verbal language. Hugs can be used for greetings, comfort, encouragement, or calming presence.
You can give bear hugs, side hugs, front hugs, or hugs from behind. Some people offer tight hugs, and others offer short ones. Hugs can serve to say "hello," "goodbye," "I missed you," and "I love you." They can also be a sign of compassion and dedication and impart a feeling of closeness.
Hugging may last from a few seconds to several minutes or more. The calming and comforting effects of hugging are due to the release of oxytocin and serotonin. The longer an embrace, the more of a positive and soothing effect it may have, as these chemicals reach their highest levels when you hug or cuddle for seven or more seconds.
Although not everyone enjoys physical touch, hugs can be an essential form of physical affection that all people can benefit from. From when a human is in the womb to their last years on Earth, physical contact and human touch are vital for mental and physical health. Biologically, humans were created to be touched and to touch others.
Not receiving physical touch can negatively affect your health in a digital age where in-person interactions are rarer. Some adults may feel starved for physical touch but may not know they are missing this connection. Recognizing the importance of hugs and other touch can have positive health outcomes for you and your loved ones.
How can hugs improve mental health?
Physical touch has several mental health benefits for the giver and receiver of an embrace. Below are a few of the benefits of a hug.
Reduced social anxiety
Some individuals might not like being hugged or hugging others due to an avoidant attachment style, neurodivergence, or social anxiety, among other causes. They may feel nervous or uncomfortable while still desiring intimacy and affection from others. Consensual hugs may decrease social anxiety as a person becomes more accustomed to touch. However, if you're uncomfortable with touch and don't feel it would benefit you, setting boundaries on who you want to hug and when can be healthy and normal.
Reduced stress levels
When hugged or touched by someone else, it can boost oxytocin (the love hormone) levels and reduce stress levels. It can also decrease cortisol, a stress hormone. People who receive physical touch may respond positively to stressful events.
A recent study examined the psychological and physiological effects of interpersonal touch, like a hug.
Strengthened social bonds
Hugs may help you feel closer to someone quickly. Like you are bonded to a caregiver through skin-to-skin contact as a baby, you may feel a sense of closeness and love by embracing another person. Strengthening social bonds can help you maintain positive relationships, reducing loneliness and stress. Hugging also conveys empathy, care, and reassurance, which may help those you love feel cared for.
Trust
When you hug someone, your body produces oxytocin, a feel-good chemical in the brain linked to increased well-being levels in social interactions. While you may have heard that oxytocin is released during labor, breastfeeding, and sexual interactions, it is also released with low-intensity skin stimulation, such as hugging or holding hands.
A release of oxytocin may increase your comfort level in trusting someone you deem important. Thus, oxytocin facilitates trust between you and other people and may help you resolve conflicts with more empathy, compassion, and understanding.
Positivity and kindness
Hugs can make people think more positively, potentially increasing moments of joy. Hugs often have a calming effect that reduces feelings of sadness, reduces stress, and increases comfort. Seeing someone offer hugs and affection may motivate a person to do the same. This concept is known as elevation, a positive emotion in people who see altruistic behavior and are encouraged to mimic this altruism to others. Receiving a hug can make you want to return the favor.
A note on respecting the physical boundaries of others
Hugs can be beneficial and enjoyable for many people but may not be for everyone. Feeling uncomfortable with physical touch is understandable, and embracing should be consensual in all circumstances. It can be normal to go through periods where you don't like to be touched. Honor these moments and know others may feel the same. Respecting the boundaries and preferences of those around you is crucial, and everyone shows love differently. If someone is uncomfortable with hugging, find other ways to show them your affection and care.
The physical benefits of hugging
Hugs may benefit your mental health and have been associated with physical health benefits, including the following.
A boosted immune system
Hugging can boost your immune system. Excessive stress can cause the immune system to overreact, leading to inflammation and negatively impacting the body systemically. Hugs can calm the nervous system, reducing the negative impacts of stress, preventing an overreactive response, and potentially warding off harmful illnesses.
Reduced pain
Whether you're experiencing acute or chronic pain, embracing someone can relieve stress and lower pain levels. Physical touch increases endorphin production in the body. Endorphins are feel-good chemicals released by the body through activities like exercise. These hormones, combined with oxytocin, reduce pain and calm the nerves.
Increased oxytocin levels
Oxytocin may sometimes be called the "love drug" or "cuddle hormone." When produced by the body during a hug or snuggle, you can experience a sense of closeness, trust, tenderness, connection, and bonding. Oxytocin is calming, and a calmer state of being may help you better prepare for stress and mental health challenges.
Lowered blood pressure
When someone hugs you and welcomes you into their arms, the oxytocin levels in your body rise. Oxytocin lessens the amount of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body, which then lowers blood pressure. Lower blood pressure may lead to better health outcomes overall, whereas high blood pressure is associated with a risk of disease, stroke, or a heart attack.
What is Share a Hug Day?
Share a Hug Day is celebrated each year on July 30th in the United States. The movement started in 2018 in honor of Mike Brundritt.
Mike Brundritt lost his wife of 19 years and oldest son in an auto accident with a transport truck when the family was returning home one night. The transport truck failed to stop in a construction zone and plowed into five parked cars, one of which held Brundritt, his wife, his oldest son, and his youngest son. The day ended in tragedy as the accident took the lives of Brundritt's wife and oldest son. To stay positive, Brundritt created Share a Hug Day on the first anniversary of his loved ones' deaths to honor their memory and build a meaningful event from the anniversary of the tragedy, remembering how much his family valued the power of physical touch and exchanging hugs.
Mike Brundritt founded Share a Hug Day on the first anniversary of his wife and son's deaths to remind people they are loved, cared for, and appreciated. Receiving hugs frequently can help people feel less alone, encouraging and comforting them. In addition, hugs can communicate empathy, understanding, and trust in difficult moments.
How to celebrate Share a Hug Day
Although not everyone enjoys physical touch, there are a few ways to observe Share a Hug Day on July 30th. Each person shows love in unique ways. While hugs may be an effective way to give or receive affection for some, others might not be comfortable with it. Learning about your loved ones' love languages can help you decide which action or greeting would make them feel most valued and special on Share a Hug Day. You can also try a virtual hug without physical touch by sending a hug emoji or sticker online.
When you celebrate this event, keep in mind why the movement started and show your affection to those you care about, whether it's your spouse, family members, or friends. Families and friends can partake in the celebration and spread the idea of compassion and love to others in memory of people they may have lost. In 2023, Share a Hug Day is on a Sunday, but you can also celebrate Saturday afternoon or the entire weekend. Making a post on social media is one way to affect other families' lives positively.
Non-physical ways to celebrate Share a Hug Day
Not everyone enjoys physical touch, and that's okay. There are other ways to celebrate Share a Huge Day on July 30th that don't involve hugging, including the following.
Gift giving
Consider giving someone you love a thoughtful gift. Pick out something you think they'd like, as the thought behind the gift may matter more to them than the gift itself. If you don't have the income to spend on a gift, you might make a gift from scratch, like a letter, poem, drawing, or DIY project.
Sending flowers
Whether you give them to your partner, sibling, or friend, flowers can brighten a person's day. Consider finding a flower and chocolates delivery service and sending them surprising flowers to their workplace, home, or school.
Sending a kind message or card
You can send a thoughtful text message, a personalized card, or a letter to tell someone how much you care. Send compliments, encouragement, or comfort if they're going through a difficult moment. Words can lift someone up and celebrate their presence in your life.
Giving gifts people can hug
Although "hug" is in the name, what may be more important on National Hugging Day is showing those you love that you care for them. Consider sending a stuffed animal or soft blanket that this individual can hug alone. Hugging a stuffed animal may offer similar effects to hugging a person.
How to cope when a hug isn’t enough
If you are having social challenges or experiencing a complex event that you struggle to cope with alone, you might benefit from contacting a therapist. If you have a busy schedule, you can also try an online platform like BetterHelp.
Online platforms can connect you with a qualified therapist with experience helping people work through challenges. You can meet with your therapist based on your schedule and choose from phone, video, or chat sessions each week. You might also find that you are more comfortable talking with a professional online than in person.
One study found that internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) could be as effective as in-person therapy in reducing symptoms associated with moderate and severe depression. These findings are on par with studies on the traditional format of therapy. If you're looking for a way to reduce loneliness, depression, sadness, or avoidance, therapy may benefit you.
Takeaway
If hugging does not relieve stress, anxiety, or loneliness, consider contacting a therapist. Therapy can involve a process of trial and error but is often effective for a range of challenges. Start by connecting with an online or in-person provider for support.
Is it normal for friends to hug each other?
Yes, it is considered normal in many cultures for friends to hug each other. Hugging is a common form of physical affection and can be a way to express warmth, care, and support within a friendship. The level of physical contact, including hugging, can vary depending on cultural norms, personal preferences, and the nature of the friendship. Some friends may be more physically affectionate, while others may express their friendship through different means.
Why do people give each other hugs?
People give each other hugs for various reasons, and hugging is a universal form of physical affection that can convey a wide range of emotions and messages. Here are some common reasons why people give each other hugs:
- Expressing Love and Affection: Hugging is often a way to show love and affection to family members, friends, and romantic partners. It's a physical gesture that conveys care and closeness.
- Providing Comfort: Hugging can provide comfort and reassurance, especially during difficult or emotional moments. It's a way to offer support and empathy to someone in need.
- Celebrating Happiness: People hug each other in moments of joy, such as when celebrating an achievement, a special occasion, or a reunion with loved ones.
- Greetings and Farewells: Hugging can be a common part of greetings and farewells, serving as a warm and friendly way to say hello or goodbye.
- Apologizing or Making Amends: In some cases, a hug may be a way to express remorse or seek forgiveness when words alone may not be enough.
- Reconnecting: After a period of separation, hugging is a way to reconnect with someone and reestablish the bond between them.
- Physical Comfort: Hugging can be physically comforting, as it releases oxytocin (the "bonding hormone") and reduces stress and anxiety.
- Expressing Sympathy: Hugging can be a way to express sympathy and support during times of loss or grief.
- Strengthening Bonds: Regular physical contact, including hugging, can help strengthen emotional bonds and promote feelings of trust and security in relationships.
- Non-Verbal Communication: Hugs can convey messages that words may not capture effectively. They serve as a form of non-verbal communication, expressing emotions and feelings.
Is hugging a friend good?
Hugging a friend can be a positive and meaningful gesture that fosters a sense of closeness, trust, and emotional connection in your friendship. Here are some reasons why hugging a friend can be good:
- Expression of Affection: Hugging is a way to express your affection and care for your friend. It can make your friend feel valued and appreciated.
- Strengthening Bonds: Physical touch, like hugging, can help strengthen emotional bonds in your friendship. It creates a sense of intimacy and connection.
- Emotional Support: Hugging can offer comfort and emotional support to your friend during difficult times or moments of distress.
- Stress Reduction: Hugging releases oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone" or "bonding hormone," which can reduce stress and promote positive feelings.
- Physical Well-Being: Physical touch, like hugging, has been associated with improved physical and emotional well-being, including reduced blood pressure and increased feelings of happiness.
- Communication: Hugging can convey emotions and feelings that words may not express as effectively. It's a non-verbal way to communicate warmth and empathy.
Why does my friend always want a hug?
There could be several reasons why your friend frequently seeks hugs. Hugging is a common way for people to express their emotions and needs. Here are some possible reasons why your friend may always want a hug:
- Comfort and Emotional Support: Your friend may find comfort and emotional support in physical contact, such as hugging. Hugs release oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and stress reduction, which can provide a sense of emotional well-being.
- Affection and Connection: Hugging is a way to show affection and maintain a sense of connection with others. Your friend may use hugs as a means to express their closeness and attachment to you and other friends.
- Stress Relief: Hugging can help reduce stress and anxiety, so your friend may seek hugs when feeling stressed or overwhelmed as a way to calm their nerves.
- Cultural or Personal Norms: Cultural and personal backgrounds can influence one's comfort with physical touch. Some individuals come from cultures or families where hugging is a common form of greeting and expression of love.
- Physical Contact as Communication: For some people, physical touch, like hugging, serves as a form of non-verbal communication. Your friend may find that hugging is an effective way to express their emotions or convey their feelings.
- Habit or Tradition: It could be a habit or tradition that your friend has developed over time. Some people are naturally more physically affectionate, and hugging is their way of connecting with others.
How do you know if a friend cares about you?
Knowing if a friend cares about you can be observed through their actions, words, and behavior. Here are some signs that can indicate a friend genuinely cares about you:
- Consistent Communication: A caring friend stays in touch regularly, whether through calls, texts, or in-person meetings. They make an effort to maintain the connection.
- Active Listening: A friend who cares listens attentively when you talk. They ask questions and show genuine interest in your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
- Emotional Support: Caring friends are there for you during challenging times. They offer a listening ear, empathy, and emotional support when you need it most.
- Checking In: They reach out to check on your well-being and show concern for your happiness and safety.
- Celebrating Your Successes: Caring friends celebrate your achievements and milestones with enthusiasm and genuine happiness for your accomplishments.
- Respecting Your Boundaries: They respect your boundaries and are considerate of your comfort levels and needs.
- Being Reliable: A caring friend is dependable and keeps their commitments. They can be counted on in both good times and bad.
- Random Acts of Kindness: They perform small acts of kindness, like surprising you with a thoughtful gift or doing something nice for you.
What happens when you hug a friend?
When you hug a friend, several things happen, both emotionally and physiologically. Hugging is a powerful and natural form of human interaction that can have a positive impact on both individuals involved. Here are some of the things that occur when you hug a friend:
- Release of Oxytocin: Hugging triggers the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone" or "bonding hormone." Oxytocin promotes feelings of trust, bonding, and attachment, which can strengthen the emotional connection between you and your friend.
- Stress Reduction: Hugging can reduce stress and anxiety. The release of oxytocin, along with other neurochemical changes, can lead to a sense of calm and relaxation.
- Emotional Connection: Hugging is a non-verbal way to express emotions and affection. It fosters a sense of closeness and emotional connection between you and your friend.
- Improved Mood: Physical touch, like hugging, can improve mood and increase feelings of happiness. It can provide a sense of comfort and well-being.
- Communication: Hugging is a form of non-verbal communication. It can convey warmth, empathy, and support, often expressing emotions and feelings that words may not capture as effectively.
How long should a friend hug last?
The duration of a friend's hug can vary depending on the context, the level of intimacy in your friendship, and individual preferences. In general, friend hugs tend to be brief, but there are no strict rules regarding how long a hug lasts. Here are some considerations:
- Quick Hug: Many friend hugs are quick and last only a few seconds. They serve as a friendly greeting or expression of affection without being overly intimate.
- Slightly Longer Hug: In certain situations, a friend might opt for a slightly longer hug to convey extra warmth, support, or comfort. This can last for a few seconds longer, perhaps 5-10 seconds.
- Situational Hugs: The duration of a hug can also depend on the situation. For example, a friend might offer a brief hug when saying hello or goodbye, while a more extended hug might occur during a moment of emotional support.
- Comfort and Consent: Always consider your friend's comfort and consent when hugging. Some people are more comfortable with physical contact than others. If your friend seems eager to hug and maintain physical contact, it's okay to hold the hug for a bit longer, as long as they are comfortable with it.
- Mutual Respect: Ensure that the duration of the hug is mutual and agreed upon. Pay attention to your friend's cues, eye contact, and body language. If they start to pull away or show signs of discomfort, it's a good practice to release the hug.
Is it okay to hug a girlfriend?
Hugging a girlfriend is okay, and it's a common and natural expression of affection and intimacy in a romantic relationship. Physical affection, including a romantic hug, is an important part of many romantic relationships as it fosters emotional closeness and strengthens the bond between partners. Romantic hugs can convey love, comfort, and warmth, and it's a way to show that you care for and value your girlfriend.
Whether giving a hug or putting your arm around your partner’s wasit, always respect your girlfriend's boundaries and comfort levels. Not everyone has the same preferences when it comes to physical contact, and it's important to have open communication about what both of you are comfortable with before giving her a big bear hug. Always obtain consent and be attentive to your girlfriend's cues and wishes when it comes to physical affection and romantic feelings.
Why does it feel weird to hug my friend?
Feeling that it's weird to hug a friend of the same or opposite sex can be a result of various factors, and it's important to remember that people have different comfort levels with physical contact. Here are some potential reasons why hugging a friend might feel strange or uncomfortable:
- Personal Boundaries: A few people have different personal boundaries when it comes to physical contact. You or your friend might have different comfort levels with hugging or physical affection.
- Cultural Norms: Cultural background and upbringing can influence how comfortable someone is with hugging. In some cultures, hugging is more common, while in others, it's less so.
- Social Conditioning: Past experiences or societal conditioning can affect how you perceive hugging. If you're not accustomed to hugging friends, it may feel uncomfortable or unusual at first.
- Friendship Dynamics: The nature of your friendship can also play a role. If your friendship has typically not involved physical contact, introducing hugging might feel strange.
- Personal Preferences: It's possible that you or your friend simply have different preferences when it comes to expressing affection or support. Some people may prefer other ways of showing they care.
- Lack of Consent: Feeling weird about a hug can also arise if it's not consensual. Always ensure that both you and your friend are comfortable with hugging and have given consent.
Why does my friend randomly hug me?
There could be various answers to the question of “why do friends hug each other?” Hugging is a way to express affection, care, and support, and different individuals may have different motivations for hugging. Some times a friend may give a one arm hug while others may give a big bear hug. Here are some potential reasons why your friend might randomly hug you:
- Affection: Your friend may simply want to express their affection for you and reinforce the emotional connection in your friendship with a friendly hug.
- Joy and Happiness: Sometimes, when people are happy or excited, they may want to show their joy with a physical gesture like a hug. Putting your arms around each other is a way to celebrate good moments together.
- Comfort and Support: Hugging can be a way to provide comfort and emotional support. Your friend might sense that you do not feel comfortable and need a reassuring or comforting gesture and offers a hug in response.
- Non-Verbal Communication: Hugging can serve as a form of non-verbal communication, expressing emotions and feelings that words may not convey as effectively.
- Cultural or Personal Norms: Cultural background and personal norms can influence how people express their emotions. In some cultures, hugging is a common way to greet or show affection.
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