The Power of Hugs:
I recently had an experience that culminated in a hug that was 15 years in the making. Although the experience was the catalyst for the hug, it was the hug that was the experience that got me thinking. My inquisitive nature naturally kicked in. What transpires in the time span that a hug takes place? Think about it. There’s nothing like a really good, genuinely felt, well-timed hug. Hugs are of
fered as well as received for a whole host of reasons spanning the spectrum from Deliriously Happy Hugs (aka Hysterical Hugs) to Heartache and Heartbreaking Hugs. Turns out that hugs are more complex than meets the eye, but not the touch.
The effort to bring the healing power of hugs to the human population began in 1986, with creation of National Hug Day (since evolved into World Hug Day). January 21st was the identified date because it is mid-way between Christmas and Valentine’s Day, a time thought to be when people are at an emotional low. Ok, sounds reasonable.
But the creation of National Hug Day was as a result of the perception that Americans were embarrassed expressing emotions in public. The hope was that designating a national hug day would help alleviate that. Shocking!
Embarrassed, inhibited, Americans? Never!
Research Says:
Well, evidently it’s true…relatively speaking. The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School found that French couples spend 3 times as much time touching when compared to Americans. In fact, it appears that a number of countries have citizens who are much more inclined and comfortable with embracing one another than we are. Apparently we have personal-space issues, but fortunately that does not mean that we are not receptive to increasing our hug-ability. But what do we stand to gain by becoming more tactile with our fellow Americans and embracing the hug as well as the huggable?
From a purely scientific perspective, research shows that 20 seconds of hugging among couples increases the body’s “feel good” chemical level, oxytocin. Love oxytocin! Not surprisingly, huggers who were in a loving relationship had the highest increase in oxytocin levels. And according to the American Psychosomatic Society, a brief hug coupled with 10 minutes of hand holding with a romantic partner greatly diminishes the harmful effects of stress. Ok, you’ve got my attention.
Research also shows that human contact is essential for healthy psychological, social, and physical development as well as promoting happiness and feelings of well-being. In addition, hugs can help build a good immune system and decrease the risk of heart disease.
The way I see it, most hugs physically and emotionally take place heart-to-heart. Perhaps by design or perhaps by the sheer practicality of facilitating the ease of engaging in a hug. If I had to wager, I’d bet on the former as opposed to the latter. Hugs have much to do with the heart.
Mom and Dad Back In the Day… A Forever Love
Hugs can be intimate and sometimes best suited for a private setting or, depending upon the culture and/or individual comfort level, they can be completely socially acceptable public displays of affect. I say affect as opposed to affection because it’s really the affect part or the subjective emotional component of hugging that I’m referring to in contrast to affection per se. Nonverbal communication represents two-thirds of all communication and hugs speak volumes when words are insufficient. So with that being said, let’s get to the heart of the hug.
If Hugs are a Form of Nonverbal Communication What is it They’re Saying?
Like me, I know you too have wondered, what gives with the hug? So in my desire to provide us with one less thing to think about as we go about our daily lives and in light of Valentine’s Day, below is information that may prove useful as we engage in the act of hugging- either as the hug initiator (hugger) or the hug recipient (huggie). So, let’s start at the beginning…
Webster’s Hug Facts:
- Origin: Perhaps Scandinavian; akin to Old Norse hugga, to soothe
- First known use of hug was in 1567
- 19 words rhyme with hug (4 of which I’ve never heard of)
If you care to take a moment to ponder the 19 rhymes, feel free to do so now. I know I did!
Hugs In the News: Getting Hip with the Hug
The New York Times reported that in the United States, “the hug has become the favorite social greeting when teenagers meet or part these days (perhaps our youth are on to something?) However, a number of schools in the United States have issued bans on hugs, which in some cases have resulted in student-led protests against these bans (perhaps the schools are on to something? – just keep it friendly…the hugs and the protest).
Hug-Ability:
Hugs generally indicate that people are familiar with each other and there are a variety of hugs that are either given and/or received. Below are a few examples of hugs you may be familiar with. Note that this list is by no means all inclusive. Let me know your thoughts. I would love to hear what you’re thinking!
Formality Hug: A form of greeting; type of customary hug. Typically brief, limited physical contact.
Reciprocal Hug: aka “Welcomed” hug. Individual is comfortable and receptive to the hug and in turn, reciprocates
Forever Friends in a Reciprocal, Side-to-Side Hug
Side-to-Side Hug: a generally light-hearted position hug. Conveys closeness, warmth, support and love. .
Back-to-Front Hug: Type of position hug. “I got your back” or “you got my back”. Similar to a Bear Hug.
Healing Hug: “It’s going to be ok”
All Encompassing Hug: “Everything’s going to be ok”
Empathy Hug: “I feel you“. Sympathy Hug: “ I feel for you”
Me and My Girl in a Bear Hug Back in the Day
Goodbye/Good Buy Hug: Type of homophone hug generally given when a) parting ways or b) upon purchase of a really good deal. Caution: can cause eyes to well up with tears.
Bear/Bare Hug: Type of homophone hug. Sometimes performed simultaneously.Bear hug usually denotes embracing from behind; sometimes used to subdue and calm. The Bare Hug is self-explanatory. And the combo Bear/Bare Hug is …well, you know.
Hysterical Hug: Somewhat self-centered in nature. Example: “I just won the lottery!” OR “You just won the lottery…and you know me, and you like me… A Lot! “
Ever-Lasting Hug: “If this were eternity, I’d stay here forever!”
Congratulatory Hug- “I’m so happy for you!”
Guinness Award Winning Hugs:
Most Hugs in a 24 hour period- 8,709 in Manchester, TN. June 11, 2010
Longest Marathon Hug- Four couples in London spent more than 24 hours hugging it out, effectively and lovingly. January 23, 2012.
Group Hug: Hug involving 3 or more recipients/participants
The largest group hug consisted of 10,554 people in an event in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on May 7, 2010.
Hugs are powerful. They say so much with so little. Familiarity, love, friendship, support, affection, comfort, sympathy, consolation, empathy, joy and happiness and so much more can be conveyed all with a simple hug.
So what are you waiting for?!? Come on…Bring It In! OXOXOXOX
Also, FYI… 🙂
19 Words that Rhyme with Hug
BUG, CHUG, DRUG, DUG, FUG, JUG, LUG, MUG, PLUG, PUG, RUG, SHRUG, SLUG, SMUG, SNUG, THUG, TRUG, TUG, VUG
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