A friendly hug usually lasts for about a few seconds. But when it comes to a romantic hug, it usually lasts a little longer – say at least for about 20 seconds. That is the exact amount of time the body needs to release the love hormones- oxytocin and dopamine.
Psychologists in London claim they have cracked the code on the ideal embrace, saying hugs should last between five and 10 seconds. According to researchers at Goldsmiths university, longer hugs were found to provide an immediate pleasure boost compared to shorter ones (lasting just one second).
“The average length of a hug between two people is three seconds, but researchers have discovered something fantastic. When a hug lasts 20 seconds, there is a therapeutic effect on the body and mind. The reason is that a sincere hug produces a hormone called oxytocin, also known as the love hormone.
A close, full-body embrace, with eye contact--that's what an Intimate Hug is. The eye contact takes this type of hug to a new level, because it is clearly about more than just physical touch. If you are experiencing hugs like these, it means you really have something special going on.
Hand position. Generally, the lower the hands, the higher the physical attraction. If their arms encircle your waist and they press their hands against your lower back, that might be a romantic hug—especially if they draw your lower body in closer to theirs.
To add an extra romantic touch, nuzzle your head or even your face into the head/neck of the other person (or chest, if you're much shorter than the person you're hugging). Squeeze and hold. A romantic hug lasts longer than a platonic hug. Gently clutch a little tighter for two or three seconds.
A flirty hug is one where there is lingering touch just as the hug ends. If their hands are on your waist (or lower) or around your neck, it could be a flirty hug. How do you know if a hug is romantic? You know a hug is romantic when the person makes intense eye contact before going in for the hug.
A tight bear hug or a hug with back pats is usually friendly and platonic. If their arms are around your waist or they're hugging you from behind, the hug is romantic. A quick distant hug or a sideways hug is mostly just polite and impersonal.
Real and tight hug:
The hug that means the most and has the most emotions behind it. It shows how much your partner cares about you and how much they miss you. It shows that the person loves being around you.
Hugging causes the brain to release oxytocin, the hormone that increases human bonding. Here's why it's so important. The oxytocin released by hugging increases trust, loyalty and feelings of closeness, which is why physical contact in relationships is so important.
So, as we approach the six-second mark of a hug, the human brain begins to release enhanced levels of serotonin and oxytocin, which promotes bonding and boosts your mood. This physical connection literally forces the body to feel better; the longer the hug, the higher the level of chemical release.
Keep your hugs short and sweet.
When you're hugging your crush, the last thing you want is to make them feel smothered. Instead, limit yourself to a short, 3-second hug—that's how long most people hug for. As you and your crush get more comfortable with each other, you can always work up to longer hugs!
When people hug for 20 seconds or more, the feel-good hormone oxytocin is released which creates a stronger bond and connection between the huggers. Oxytocin has been shown to boost the immune system and reduce stress.
Make quick, casual contact.
Lean in, bending from your waist. The idea here is not full-body contact, which is a much more intimate and personal hug. Wrap one arm around her arm and place your hand in-between her shoulder blades. Wrap your other arm around her and place your hand below your first hand.
Hugs are an essential form of physical touch that humans rely on from the moment they're born throughout the rest of their lives. Depending on the type hug, it can be a sign of romantic intimacy, security, emotional support, friendship, or love.
A guy might hug you with both arms for lots of reasons, such as to say hello, to cheer you up, or to show you he's interested in you. Note the duration and intensity of the hug: a long, tight embrace may indicate deep, sincere care, while a brief, light hug may suggest only casual affection.
You can put both arms around his neck and keep one palm gently on the nape of his neck. If your arms are around his neck, run your fingers softly through the hair at the base of his neck. If your arms are around his torso, rub his back gently. A behind-the-back hug can also be a good way to hug a guy hello.
It is not just the act of the hug that makes these two embraces differ, but the feelings the hug gives you. If you feel comforted and safe, it is likely a friendly hug. If you feel aroused or connected, it may be a romantic hug.
If a guy initiates a hug goodbye, whether a partner or a friend, especially after you have been hanging out for a while, it means that he actually loved that time with you. The hug is a sign that he wants some affectionate, physical touch before parting ways.
#10 The side-by-side hug.
She will wrap her arms around your waist or an arm around your arm. This means she likes you or she's comfortable around you. In fact, so much that she wants to stay close to you wherever you guys go. It's also a way for her to tell the world, “This guy is mine.”
"A pelvis-to-pelvis embrace shows he'd like to merge with you sexually," Wood says. The farther down your body his hands travel, the more fired up he is. There's one last thing to take note of: Does he touch his head to yours? "Then he wants to merge his thoughts with yours as well," Wood adds.
While cuddling doesn't have to be sexual or lead to sex, for some people, it can be a form of foreplay and can improve your sex life simply because it makes you feel closer to your partner. “When you feel safe being physically close to your partner,” explains St. John, “it can lead to more passionate sex.”