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).
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”.
2 seconds is the ideal length for a friendly hug. Let go of her as soon as this much time has passed, and resume conversing as you normally would.
Virginia Satir, a world-renowned family therapist, is famous for saying “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”
Cuddling releases "feel good" hormones
Not too bad, right? It makes sense that when we're feeling down a hug can often help lighten our feelings. There's also research that suggests hugging or cuddling for more than six seconds oxytocin and serotonin are released at maximum levels.
Can cuddling make you fall in love? On its own, cuddling is unlikely to make you fall in love with someone. But, as noted above, because cuddling can cause your body to release certain hormones, like oxytocin, it can make you feel loved or bonded with someone that you're already falling for.
A 'seven second hug' takes you to level two – it's a sincere, genuine transaction of love and care. Level three is the 'run up hug' – a euphoric, outburst of affection.
A "steady diet" of oxytocin helps trigger the release of dopamine, which means we're almost literally addicted to the person we're in love with. Cuddling is a drug, so to speak.
Hugging, snuggling, massage, and kissing all fall under the cuddling umbrella. There's no right or wrong way to cuddle, but these common cuddling positions can pave the way to an epic cuddling session.
Sharing a bed is the ultimate intimacy and research suggests that sleeping close and cuddling increases oxytocin (the 'love' hormone) which helps to lower stress hormones, making you feel calmer and encourages feelings of safety and security – leading to less interrupted sleep.
The importance of touch
"The least flirtatious and romantic touches were the shoulder push, shoulder tap, and handshake. Thus, touching that is gentle and informal, and that occurs face-to-face or involves “hugging” behaviour, appears to convey the most relational intent."
Be slow, gentle, and firm.
Pull her towards you and squeeze. Not too hard, or you'll hurt her. Slowly rub your hands up and down her back and rub your bodies together. Don't be afraid to explore with your hands, but make sure that she's into it.
Wrap one hand behind his back, just above his butt. Place the other hand around his neck so that your fingers rest where his neck meets his shoulder. Lightly grab onto the left side of his neck (his right side) with your left hand. If you're extra romantic, you can lightly tousle the back of his hair with your fingers.
Cuddling is more affectionate and intimate than hugging and is usually associated with lovers and family members. It is also done for a longer period of time. Cuddling happens when two people who are lying down together or sitting in an intimate manner. Unlike hugging, cuddling is not used as a form of greeting.
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.
Cuddling is an intimate activity generally reserved for romantic partners and very close loved ones. The act of cuddling can take many forms: embracing in a hug, spooning in bed, or snuggling on the couch. No matter the form, cuddling involves the act of physical touch.
Cuddling is typically a sign that a person is interested or has affection towards you, but it doesn't necessarily translate into love. Regarding how they feel about cuddling, some people believe may see it as incredibly intimate, while others enjoy cuddling even in platonic friendships.
Just lean in to kiss his lips, hold your lips there for a second, and then pull away while locking eyes. French kiss him. Once you're comfortable with soft, gentle kisses, you can start French kissing if you're comfortable with that. Move your tongue slowly into your boyfriend's mouth as he does the same.
For girls, cuddling means reassurance from their boyfriend that they are safe and can let their guard down. Cuddling also provides happiness due to the release of the hormone oxytocin. When the girl cuddles up, there is a release of a chemical called oxytocin in the brain.
In a study that refutes gender stereotypes, researchers looking at couples in long-term relationships have found that men value cuddling and caressing as important for their relationship happiness more than women do. For women, sexual functioning predicted relationship happiness, says researcher Julia R.
Oxytocin (also known as the 'love hormone') is a sleep-promoting hormone released when you sleep with your significant other. Sex, cuddling, kissing, and even holding hands can significantly boost the production of oxytocin.
A hug at the waist
A hug at the waist is indeed one of the most romantic and intimate types of hugs! A hug at the waist brings one partner below the shoulders of the other, down and closer to the stomach during this embrace.
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.
Neck Kiss
Not to be confused with a hickey, a neck kiss is more of a peck than a deep kiss. This is a playful kiss meant to let your partner know how much you care for them.