why getting hugs helps our mental health
Daily check-in for October 3rd to October 5th 2025
Did you know that giving or receiving hugs is beneficial for our mental health? Hugs can help reduce fears, stress, and pain. They also improve our cardiovascular health and strengthen our immune system.
When we hug others, we experience a range of emotions, from excitement and happiness to sadness and the desire to comfort someone. Receiving hugs allows us to feel calmer and loved by the person hugging us.
The benefits of hugging go beyond the warm sensation you feel. Here are a few ways hugs can positively impact you and others:
- Hugs can reduce stress through the physical connection they provide.
- They can protect you from illnesses.
- Hugs can boost your heart rate in a positive way.
- They can enhance your happiness through the comfort of touch.
- Hugs can alleviate any fears you may have.
- They can help reduce physical pain when someone touches you.
- Hugs facilitate communication between people.
We can also hug ourselves, which is an important aspect of self-love. Self-love is a powerful tool that helps you feel calm, happier, and more relaxed, especially when you are alone. It builds your confidence to pursue your goals without feeling discouraged. Additionally, self-love soothes and boosts our self-esteem, positively impacting our overall well-being.
When you find yourself alone, what positive phrases or affirmations do you tell yourself?
Do you ever give yourself a hug?
How do you feel when others hug you?
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Thanks @pamharley003 ✨🙏🏽✨
I actually love hugs 😊✨
However, on my last work experience (TW) an older man -who was the head chef, was asking for hugs to a 16 year old that was my friend, working as a dishwasher on the weekends… I just found that so inappropriate, so I told him and he became awful towards me bullying me every day and turning all the team against me… I reported this to the owners but they didn’t care. So now, every time I think of hugs, his image comes to my mind and honestly it’s very uncomfortable… I’m working on it though
This. Creepy men giving hugs is NOT the same thing… :(
I’m sorry you had a challenging experience there :( Approaches to hugging same and opposite sex are different - depends on your culture.
In the east it’s expected a hug to greet but in the west I think US although UK are more reserved.
Just thinking in terms of which countries are extroverted and introverted.
@GoldenRuleJG Thank you ✨🙏🏽✨
Thank you @jesusredeemedme2425 ✨🙏🏽✨
People misuse everything beautiful. Bitter truth!
Hugs are beautiful. Dont let sleazy men change your impression. But always exercise caution.
@ElenaDeMonaco
@jesusredeemedme2425
Will do @Creamyyy - thanks ✨🙏🏽✨
@pamharley003 This is really helpful. Whenever I need a hug I just spread my arms near my child and he hugs tighter. 😊
Aww my heart ♥️ This makes me feel warm and fuzzy
@pamharley003
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@pamharley003
I often do loving kindness medation when by myself. Also self valadation and something called unconditional friendliness where your friendly to yourself no matter what!
I like to give hugs more than accept them.
My daughter says I give the best hugs 😍
I was in aa when I was 20 years old and I learned to hug there. Glad I did. Good life skill as you said. 😊 thanks
@pamharley003
I love giving hugs but I'm not a receiver of hugs 🥰
I am working on that though because I want my nephews to see, it's important to show love, affection and emotions 💜
@pamharley003
I love hugs!!!
I wish I received more of them ❤️
I’ve recently just started giving myself hugs.
@pamharley003
When you find yourself alone, what positive phrases or affirmations do you tell yourself?
we tell self your not truly alone as you always spiritually have another with you even if you can not see Him
Do you ever give yourself a hug?
we do not do this truth is we tryed it and made us feel odd but within our inside world some of us hug others within
How do you feel when others hug you?
this to be honest a hard one for us due to we was held in a tight hug as a child as a form of punishment and within our other abuse at times was hugged and kissed that was unwanted so for years we hated all types of hugs even online ones
but now we do not but only with others we trust will we hug them or allow them to hug us offline there only a few we let hug us or hug them we getting better at this over time as we heal from the abuse we been through at times due to the physical pain we have we ask others to not hug us as touch can hurt physically for us
when it someone we trust hugging us it feel great joyful even but when someone we not trust it hurts both physically and mentally too
we drop the mask here being very honest about this
I was the child who needed hugs ALL the time.
As an adult, my personality remains same. I love to embrace everyone with open arms.
I could be the ambassador for world hug day.
The only precaution I take as a woman ... is with sleazy men who want to misuse the beautiful gesture and pluck sexual pleasure out of me. Disgusting.
In a partnerhsip, I feel like hugs would also be very essential for me! It's like a basic love etiquette. If a man can't offer me a hug, I will be happy to bin him.
I hug my mother every now and then. She says she feels good.
I hug babies big time. I hope they feel soothed and safe with me.
I hug friends always - the physical touch conveys solidarity .... we are all together in spirit ❤️
@pamharley003
And on that note let me send hugs 🫂 🤗 to some of my dear friends
@Amanda84
@Tinywhisper11
@cyanessence
@peachthinker662
@YourCaringCondidant
@mytwistedsoul
@chillmoon
@Trueconfidant123
@ExploringMinds
@Torean
@soulsings
@SparkyGizmo
@Always25
@PineTreeTree youre missed. Havent seen you in a while. Hope youre okay? ❤️
@Creamyyy
Hug greatfully accepted 💜💕
@Creamyyy
hugs you back 🫂 🥰 ❤️ thank you!!!
If you feel unsafe giving hugs to anyone who sets of an alarm for you either do quick back tap or say “no need for a hug - thank you.”
Yeah I knew . They say you are less likely to suffer from depression if you have a sister I believe that also speaks that girls show affection more openly like hugging and such. Wish I had a sister.
@pamharley003
Aww well said. I'm gonna save a bookmark for this post and refer to anyone who ask why I keeps giving hugs lol
Thank you so much for posting🥹