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| Hugging has been proven to have health benefits. One study has shown that hugs increase levels of ], and reduce ].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4131508.stm| title = How hugs can aid women's hearts| accessdate = 2008-11-28| date = ], ]| publisher = ''BBC News''}}</ref> | Hugging has been proven to have health benefits. One study has shown that hugs increase levels of ], and reduce ].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4131508.stm| title = How hugs can aid women's hearts| accessdate = 2008-11-28| date = ], ]| publisher = ''BBC News''}}</ref> | ||
| There are different variations of hugs. Prolonged hugging in a cozy, comfortable position is called '''cuddling'''<ref>, WordNet 3.0. Princeton University. Accessed 10 March 2008. </ref>. Spooning is a cuddling ], a kind of hugging when both the hugger and the hugged persons face the same direction, i.e., the front of one person is in contact with the back of the second one.<ref>Jim Grace, Lisa Goldblatt Grace (1998) "The Art of Spooning: A Cuddler's Handbook" ISBN 0762402709 </ref> | There are different variations of hugs. Prolonged hugging in a cozy, comfortable position is called '''cuddling'''<ref>, WordNet 3.0. Princeton University. Accessed 10 March 2008. </ref>. Spooning is a cuddling ], a kind of hugging when both the hugger and the hugged persons face the same direction, i.e., the front of one person (the big spoon) is in contact with the back of the second one (the little spoon).<ref>Jim Grace, Lisa Goldblatt Grace (1998) "The Art of Spooning: A Cuddler's Handbook" ISBN 0762402709 </ref> | ||
| The ] has reported that "the hug has become the favorite social greeting when ] meet or part these days" in the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/style/28hugs.html?_r=1&em|title=For Teenagers, Hello Means 'How About a Hug?'|date=2009-05-27|first=Sarah|last=Kershaw|accessdate=2009-05-29|publisher=]}}</ref> | The ] has reported that "the hug has become the favorite social greeting when ] meet or part these days" in the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/style/28hugs.html?_r=1&em|title=For Teenagers, Hello Means 'How About a Hug?'|date=2009-05-27|first=Sarah|last=Kershaw|accessdate=2009-05-29|publisher=]}}</ref> | ||
Revision as of 19:54, 12 August 2009
This article is about affection. For people named Hug, see Hug (surname).
A hug is a form of physical intimacy that usually involves closing or holding the arms around another person or group of persons. The hug is one of the most common human signs of love and affection, along with kissing. Unlike some other forms of physical intimacy, it is practiced publicly and privately without stigma in many countries, religions and cultures, within families, and also across age and gender lines.
Sometimes, hugs are a romantic exchange. Hugs may also be exchanged as a sign of support and comfort. A hug can be a demonstration of affection and emotional warmth, sometimes arising out of joy or happiness at meeting someone.
Brief in most cases, it is used to show many levels of affection. It is not particular to human beings alone, as there are many species of animals that engage in similar exchanges of warmth.
Hugging has been proven to have health benefits. One study has shown that hugs increase levels of oxytocin, and reduce blood pressure.
There are different variations of hugs. Prolonged hugging in a cozy, comfortable position is called cuddling. Spooning is a cuddling position, a kind of hugging when both the hugger and the hugged persons face the same direction, i.e., the front of one person (the big spoon) is in contact with the back of the second one (the little spoon).
The New York Times has reported that "the hug has become the favorite social greeting when teenagers meet or part these days" in the United States.
See also
References
- Kathleen Keating (1994). The Hug Therapy Book. Hazelden PES. ISBN 1568380941.
- "How hugs can aid women's hearts". BBC News. August 8, 2005. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Cuddle", WordNet 3.0. Princeton University. Accessed 10 March 2008.
- Jim Grace, Lisa Goldblatt Grace (1998) "The Art of Spooning: A Cuddler's Handbook" ISBN 0762402709
- Kershaw, Sarah (2009-05-27). "For Teenagers, Hello Means 'How About a Hug?'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
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