Do you hug your partner and friends often, and if so, what type of hug do you give them? Different types of hugs carry separate meanings depending on how they are done. And this article is tailored to tell you about the numerous types of hugs and their meanings.
Put your hand up if you have never hugged someone before. Perhaps you might say, “I am not much of a hugger myself.” Fun fact: did you know that hugging is one of the ways humans communicate and connect with each other? It is also a form of nonverbal communication that conveys affection, emotions, and support. So, if you have never hugged someone before, it means you have yet to connect with them on a deeper level.
Whether it is an old friend you are meeting for dinner or your partner, hugs convey unique messages of love that words cannot express. So, let’s explore the various types of hugs and what they mean.
1. The Classic Hug
The first type of hug we will explore is the classic hug. According to the name, it is indeed a classic one and one of the most common hugs. Interestingly, it is primarily a cosy and intimate hug between friends and family. In this type of hug, you and the hugger wrap each other’s arms around yourselves, with your chests touching and your heads side by side.
This type of hug is done when people say goodbye or say hello to each other after an extended period apart. It is typically about embracing each other firmly and holding the hug for a few seconds. On the other hand, a person with romantic feelings for you may hold you tighter or hold the hug longer than a few seconds than someone who’s just a friend.
2. The Bear Hug
The bear hug human hug might be the most genuine and meaningful hug ever. And this is shared in moments of excitement or joy. Also, it can sometimes signal intimacy, but they are mostly just platonic in nature. It also means that you and the hugger are close and are just sharing a blissful moment together.
Nothing is as wonderful as a bear hug that fills you with warmth and eases your anxiety and stress. This hug reassures you and the person hugging you of how much you care about the relationship.
3. The Hug at the Waist
What are the types of hugs guys like? One of them is the waist hug. Of course, a hug around the waist is bound to be romantic. Otherwise, if done by the opposite gender, it might be flagged as inappropriate.
Besides, this is primarily very common between romantic spouses and conveys a story of comfort. So, when you see your partner next, you can wrap your arms around your spouse’s waist and hold them to show how much you care about them. Nothing is as lovely as a loving embrace.
4. The Side Hug
A side hug is a casual type of hug that is very common between friends. In this type of hug, there is reduced touching as only the sides of the people’s bodies meet, which clearly indicates that it is just a friendly gesture of greeting an acquaintance. However, this hug can also signify quick encouragement, affection, or comfort between romantic spouses in some settings.
5. The Hug from Behind
A hug from the back meaning is an affectionate and playful type of hug between romantic spouses. It expresses a solid physical connection in intimate and trustworthy relationships. Typically, this is done by wrapping your arms around your spouse from behind and pulling them close. This communicates that they are fond of each other and care and love themselves. This can express what a thousand words cannot.
6. The Quick Hug
This short, friendly hug is often misunderstood as cold or unaffectionate. Conversely, this may not always be the case. However, the quick hug seldom has any romantic significance, just a polite acknowledgment. You might receive this type of hug from a family member, an old friend, or a co-worker.
7. One-armed Hug
The one-armed hug is a hug with just one arm, which is common among friends. Usually, when a person offers you a one-arm hug, it suggests they see you as an acquaintance or a friend.
In this type of hugging situation, the hugger wraps one arm around the neck of the receiver with very little body and chest contact. This might indicate that they are shy or nervous about a hug, looking intimate and seeing the fact that they are not close to you yet.
This kind of hug suggests that one is still within the friend zone but does communicate some level of comfort and rapport between the receiver and giver. My article, “How to Get out of the Friend Zone: 10 Tips,” can help you get out of the Friend Zone faster than you think.
Chances are, if you are dating someone or just getting to know them romantically, and they hug you this way, it might suggest that you are still in the friend zone.
8. The Eye-to-Eye Hug
In this hug, the couple stares into each other’s eyes. This is mainly in a romantic setting familiar to new couples and people with deeper feelings. During this hug, one spouse wraps their arms around the other spouse’s shoulder or waist and touches their forehead to yours. Both people usually get lost in each other’s eyes. Additionally, it tells people watching that both of you are close and intimate. Occasionally, this hug can lead to a bit of dance, and you can make it more romantic by leaning your head on your spouse’s shoulder.
9. The Triangle Hug
The triangle hug is a fast but polite hug done out of commitment. It is worth noting that this is never a tight hug. In most cases, it is usually awkward with no bodies making contact, and this is done because both persons feel slightly uncomfortable about embracing themselves.
In such cases, the lower bodies of the hugger and the individual receiving the hug are positioned at a distance, forming a triangle. As I said, this is usually done when the situation warrants a hug. In other words, it may also occur when it is done out of obligation.
10. The Unreciprocated Hug
As the name implies, this hug can be unwanted and cold. This can happen when the receiver is in some form of pain and has no desire to reciprocate the kind gesture. If they remain motionless, without their arms at your side during the hug, this is definitely an unreciprocated hug. For instance, this hug is typical in funerals, breakups, family conflicts, and goodbyes.
11. The Cuddle Hug
Who doesn’t like to cuddle? This is even more helpful after a long day because nothing is as soothing as getting a cuddle hug from your partner.
Did you know that cuddles form the basis of a serious and firm bond in relationships? This also speaks of comfort in each other’s arms and is one of the best ways to show affection and love for your partner. The cuddle hug is a long, snuggly, and cosy hug that usually happens when you wake up or are on the sofa watching a tv show.
In such a case, your partner wraps their arms around your waist, and you rest your head on their chest. There couldn’t be a better position than this in the world. The arms of your spouse should be a place where you find peace, sweetness, and love.
12. The Patting Hug
This is quite common among friends, where a hug is followed by a gentle pat on each other’s back. This kind of hug may not look like a passionate hug, but looking closely, it is so, usually among guys.
It is no wonder that many people have nicknamed this type of hug the “bro” or “buddy” hug because this is fondly how men greet their pals. Other times, it is meant to uplift the mood of a gloomy person.
13. The Catcher Hug
If you are a fan of romantic movies, this kind of hug won’t be strange to you. This hug often happens when someone is greatly missed. Mostly, couples in long-distance relationships usually hug this way because of the extended period apart from each other or between best friends who haven’t seen each other for a long time. This is usually a physical manifestation of missing someone. However, this is not just limited to romantic partners alone.
This hug depicts a strong sense of love and trust between the hugger and the receiver. For instance, when your spouse greets you this way, they will run up to you and jump into your arms with a long, tight hug. To make it more romantic, when receiving this hug, spin your partner around.
And to the giver, wrap your legs around their waist and bury your head in their neck to get closer and show affection. One thing is for sure: this hug emanates positive energy and displays genuine emotions.
14. The Group Hug
This is a hug between many people that depicts oneness and warmth. This is mainly done during family, friends, or teammate celebrations or to solidify the bonds during a goodbye. It is effortless to do. To initiate this hug, gather your friends and form a firm ball with your arms around each other.
15. Self-hug
Self-hugging expresses self-love for oneself. Even on the most challenging days when no one is available to wrap their arms around you to provide comfort, you can give yourself that.
How Are Hugs Beneficial?
Whether deep hugs, people hugging themselves, intimate hugs, chest hugs, shoulder hugs, or friend hugs, they are incredibly beneficial for our emotional, mental, and physical well-being as humans. Below are some fantastic benefits of hugs:
Physical Benefits
- Reduces pain and inflammation
- Boosts immune system
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Lowers blood pressure and heart rate
- Releases tension and relaxes the muscles
Emotional Benefits
- Reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation
- Enhances emotional intimacy and connection
- Reassures and comforts during difficult periods
- Increases feelings of security and trust
- Releases oxytocin (the “love hormone”), thereby promoting feelings of bonding and attachment
Mental Benefits
- Fosters a sense of belonging and connection
- Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Supports emotional regulation and resilience
- Improves mood and overall sense of well-being
- Improves self-esteem and confidence
Other Benefits
- Improves communication and relationships
- Enhances physical touch and intimacy
- Reduces conflict and promotes forgiveness
- Increase dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins (feel-good hormones)
Here are some interesting facts about hugs
- Hugging can improve sleep quality. Oh yes, you read that right. So, if you are having problems falling asleep or enhancing the quality of your sleep, getting a good hug can increase help.
- Hugging can reduce physical pain by 40%. This is why many people prefer to be hugged in times of pain.
- Hugging can increase feelings of gratitude.
- Huggin can lower cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone. I bet it makes a lot of sense to you why people demand hugs from their spouses, especially on stressful days.
- 10-15 minute hugs can increase oxytocin levels.
Now that you have a reasonable amount of knowledge about types of hugs and their meanings, why not go ahead and show your partner and friends what a great hugger you are? Always remember that hugs are simple yet powerful and can make a dark day seem bright.
Besides, remember that they are ways we communicate when words can’t help express how or what we feel. So, go ahead and hug someone today!
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FINALLY…
Embrace the power of hugs, and let the language of love speak for itself.
