why do you feel better after a hug?

Malaysia
May 4, 2010 3:30am CST
human beings are mysterious creatures. we are so complex at times, and yet most of the time we derive pleasure from the most simple things in life. we can lead other people, draw up complex plans & strategies, go to war, construct fantastic monuments, travel into space and so on. but when we feel sad & depressed, a simple hug from our mother, a loved one, and even a complete stranger can make us all happy and smiling again. it's not something that we can put in a pill and get it off the counter. so what is it with hugs? why do you feel better after a good warm hug? thanks all for your views :)
3 people like this
21 responses
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
5 May 10
Hugs are the best. And you know usually when someone is behaving in a way that makes it the most difficult to even want to give them a hug, well, that is when they need one the most. I had a daughter that was very difficult, moody, mouthy etc. I read that little piece of advice somewhere and I tried it and it is so true. When she was acting the very least huggable and when I really felt the least like hugging her that is when I would give her a hug. It helped both of us. Its hard to do but it does work.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
5 May 10
Just to clarify...I gave her hugs anyway but there were times when she was pretty darn trying and it was not easy. It does work. Hugs are very therapeutic.
• Malaysia
5 May 10
i totally agree with you! i was over at my parent's yesterday, and one of my brothers cheesed me off really bad. i was ready to flip and lose it, but i just tried to go and give him a big hug instead. at fist he thought that i wanted to beat him up or something, but i just said 'think what you want, i just want to hug'.. it was weird at first, but tempers cooled down almost immediately, and everything is ok now. weird isn't it what hugs can do? thanks sid :)
@reishad (41)
4 May 10
Because of the hormone Oxytocin that makes you happy. I think a hug makes you happy because its sensual. I love hugs. free hugs for everyone.
• Malaysia
20 May 10
free hugs! free hugs!
• United States
4 May 10
Don't you just love free hugs...that makes me happy too.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
4 May 10
I feel good after a hug because it makes me feel happy and safe. I also feel loved and respected too. If I am sad, a hug makes me feel very glad and appreciated. I love giving and receiving hugs.
• Malaysia
20 May 10
yup, it's one of the best things in the world!
@maria1081 (1251)
• Philippines
4 May 10
For me because I feel appreciated. A hug means importance, you are missed by someone and being love by someone. Its a joyful feeling and less tiring after receiving a hug to people you know.
• Malaysia
20 May 10
yup...a joyful joyful feeling indeed sometimes you can feel magical sparks go off inside of you, and it can be addictive too
• Philippines
4 May 10
I think it is because when you are hugged by someone, you feel comfort and security. It also shows that you are not alone in this worls and you have someone you can count on when the going gets tough. It helps in healing wounds of a broken heart.
• Malaysia
20 May 10
i guess when we feel more comfortable and more secure, the wounds would be able to heal more easily... thanks & happy myLotting!
• United States
4 May 10
I think hugs are the greatest thing in the world(besides chocolate!)They come in all sizes, for all kinds of reasons & the best thing about them is ...they're FREE!!!
• Malaysia
4 May 10
yup, it's free..! this weekend i'm having a hug special. have a hug and get another one free..! :) thanks nadizzle :)
@samson1967 (7414)
• India
4 May 10
Through hugging, positive energy transfers from one to another, hence when we hug a kid whose heart is clear, we feel more relaxed and peaceful. This is because the flow of positive energy level is high in the children.
• Malaysia
20 May 10
i didn't feel good today. i came back to read through everyone's kind post here. now i feel so much more relaxed and peaceful.. just by reading about hugs, it kind of has an effect too
@missweety (626)
• Latvia
4 May 10
Hello! Yes, I feel better after a hug! I thinking even a huger feels better through giving this hug to someone. Happy mylotting!
• Malaysia
20 May 10
so the giver feels as good as the receiver of the hug? it's like a win-win situation
@chulce (1537)
• United States
4 May 10
Wow, lots of wonderful answers for this discussion. Good one, my hat is off to you mario! Way to go! Hugs are such a wonderful comfort. Its as if we crave to have some of our stress relieved. It is a way of telling our bodies that everything is okay, that life has a way of working things out. Today, so many aspects of our lives are riddled with stress we crave a way of relief. Through the good energies that we share with others, that level of comfort is met. Hug someone and they will hug you back. Enjoy the hug for all that it is.
• Malaysia
4 May 10
thanks chulce :) it's one of those 'mysteries in life' thingys that most of us wonder about. just like a yawn, a hug is infectious too. ever heard Barney's song? 'i hug you, you hug me...one big happy fa-mi-ly..' hehe.. we all need to let off some steam sometimes, and we all need to comforted at times too. a hug is just the right thing to have for most of those moments :)
@saphrina (31551)
• South Africa
4 May 10
You know sweetie, people think it strange, but a hug for me is that very special warm and caring feeling that really takes my troubles away. I actually cannot survive without that touch. Nothing can make you feel better than that HHUUGG. TATA.
• Malaysia
20 May 10
i felt like i needed a hug. i came back to this discussion and found one! hugg
@phoenix8606 (4942)
4 May 10
well, guess because the feeling is great!
• Malaysia
20 May 10
not only great, but addictively great too!
@mspitot (3824)
• Philippines
4 May 10
i feel better after a hug because i feel secured. it feels like there will always be someone to catch you whatever happens.
• Malaysia
20 May 10
now that is a very comforting feeling indeed!
@catalyser (531)
• Malaysia
4 May 10
Hugging a person you love and care about would release a hormone called Oxytocin, a hormone which many people believe to facilitate the bond and trust between people. This could be achieved not only by hugging but also by cuddling and love making. Thats why people feel better when hugging and personally, I don't mind a hug or two from the people I love and care. It brings a peaceful feeling of serenity to a once chaotic mind. Sometimes its just nice to have somebody to hug after a hard day at work right?
• Malaysia
20 May 10
yup...after a hard day at work, it was nice to come back here to see everyone's kind words. now i feel like i've been hugged
@viviya (88)
• China
4 May 10
A warm hug makes a person who is sad and depressed feel that he/she is loved and not lonely. Many years ago,I was in a bus travelling to another city away from where I lived then.I was deeply depressed,tears covering my face when it got dark during the channel. A man next to me,who I have never met before,let me put my head on his shoulder.I felt much better when I arrived the city.Thank you,mario-stevens,your discussion reminds me of THAT kind man.
• Malaysia
20 May 10
you're most welcome viviya.. if all men were like that man, world peace will really be possible
• Philippines
13 May 10
A hugs means bigger things to me. A hug is a free thing that when you happened to experience it is like you win a million, of course it need to be a real hug, not a frustrated hug. Sometimes we don't find a words just to make someone feel at ease and forget their problems, you just hug them. It means you are there physically to support him/her, no matter what happen you are there. If that hug comes from a very important person, i am sure your problem will be paved away instantly. A hug and a smile makes a difference.
@vishkris (205)
• India
7 May 10
i am jus get calmed down after that
@xmukid (10)
• China
5 May 10
Given a hug, I realize that there's somebody stand in my back. Or simply, I feel that I am not abondoned by everyone. Enjoy myLotting~~
@libramie (562)
• Philippines
5 May 10
Because hug for me is a comfort tends affection to our skin which can drain all the stresses and fouls of our life.
• Indonesia
5 May 10
Since I'm a man, a better felling just happen to me when I got hug from a woman, including my mother. Actually I never hope to get hug from a man, I don't know why , but it just feels weird to imagine that. It just my opinion, so don't to be serious to responded.
• Portugal
7 Sep 10
well mario we all want to be cared and loved so a hug is a great thing that makes us feel happy and cared^^ everyone needs love in their lives more than anything else^^ i say this bcs me i dont feel completely happy bcs im having love problems. and sometimes i think i wont find ever a guy that loves me too much. i just want find this guy that can hug me anytime and be there for me always. thats what everyone wants in their lives^^ love and hugs ahah^^