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What is the perfect hug?

According to researchers at Goldsmiths, University of London, it's all about the length of a hug, rather than the style of embrace. They found that a hug lasting between five and ten seconds long was the most pleasant to receive, whereas a one second hug was not rated by the participants.

itv.com - How to give the perfect hug? A new study looks at how people rate their ...

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Geraint Vincent reports on the new study looking at hugs after spending so long not being able to embrace our loved ones As the world opens up again and embraces are back on the cards, scientists believe they have unlocked the key to a perfect hug. According to researchers at Goldsmiths, University of London, it's all about the length of a hug, rather than the style of embrace. They found that a hug lasting between five and ten seconds long was the most pleasant to receive, whereas a one second hug was not rated by the participants. And hugs were found to provide an immediate pleasure boost, compared to several minutes afterwards. Two studies were carried out - in the first participants hugged for one second, five or 10 seconds - with two different arm crossing styles and reported how pleasant, arousing and under control the touch felt. In the first study, blindfolded participants rated both the ‘criss-cross’ method or ‘neck-waist’. Credit: Acta Psychologica The results indicated that duration matters most, with the longer hugs rated the most pleasurable. The one second hugs were rated as least pleasant and under control, and also resulted in lower immediate pleasure. The theory that one style of hug would be deemed more pleasant than the other was not supported. There were limitations identified in this first study as it only focused on 45 women participants. Researchers then observed 103 hugs on campus in the second study, with the embrace style left up to the participants. We advise using a five-second criss-cross hug to model a familiar and pleasant type of experience. Criss-cross hugs were the most common type in the sample and these were more common between men than between women or mixed pairs. Height difference and difference in emotional closeness were no significant predictors of arm crossing style, but gender was. Scientists said their research findings align with other research concerning robots that were evaluated less positively after "too short" a hug. They were aiming to identify a hug that can be applied in affective touch research. “Our findings suggest that longer hugs are more pleasant than very short hugs and criss-cross hugs are more common than neck-waist hugs," they said in their paper. “We anticipate that the studies presented here will provide a foundation for future research on pleasant touch, especially for research on hugs, which are highly prevalent but still widely understudied.”

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How do you know if you're emotionally hurt?

Agitation or displaying anger, anxiety or moodiness. Withdrawal or isolation from others. Poor self-care and perhaps engaging in risky behavior. Hopelessness, or feelings of being overwhelmed and worthless.

extension.unh.edu - Know the 5 signs of Emotional Suffering - UNH Extension

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted several areas of our lives, including our emotional health. Several studies have shown increases in emotional concerns such as stress, anxiety and depression since March 2020. The holiday season can also be an emotionally challenging time for people. Knowing the signs of emotional suffering can help you recognize when you or someone you love may need to seek help. The Campaign to Change Direction (https://www.changedirection.org/) outlines the 5 Signs of Emotional Suffering: Personality change in a way that seems different for that person Agitation or displaying anger, anxiety or moodiness Withdrawal or isolation from others Poor self-care and perhaps engaging in risky behavior Hopelessness, or feelings of being overwhelmed and worthless

What can we do to address these signs?

Take care of ourselves by eating healthy, getting enough sleep and remaining active. Check-in with our doctors, friends, families and other important people in our lives. Engage with loved ones and maintain healthy relationships. Relax in our favorite ways such as meditation, cooking, gardening, reading and more! Know the fives signs of emotional suffering and when we might need help. Take a pledge to know the 5 signs! Check out this page for a list of resources in NH and nationally: https://extension.unh.edu/mentalhealth SAMHSA also shares some tips for managing stress related to pandemics: https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/SAMHSA_Digital_Download/PEP20-01-01-020%20PDF%20508c.pdf The Campaign to Change Direction is a coalition of concerned citizens, nonprofit leaders, and leaders from the private sector who have come together to change the culture in America about mental health, mental illness, and wellness.

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