Why is a hug so comforting? - Help.com

Why is a hug so comforting?

Why, when we find ourselves sad and alone, do we find comfort in the arms of someone…anyone really. How is it, when the world is crashing down around us, everything seems to disappear in the embrace of someone else? An embrace that one wishes will never end, because once it does, the world becomes real again.

I’m pretty drunk, so if this post seems kind of out there, than that is why. I’m writing this simply to get my thoughts down, but if you’d like to respond, please feel free.

This open post was written 2 weeks, 5 days ago | V/U/S: 171, 21, 11 | Edit Post | Leave a reply | Report Post


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Godfather invited 15 users to read this post 2 weeks, 5 days ago.

classicrock1818 offline Verified User (11 months, 1 week) Long Term User Shouts: 76 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 5 days ago (2 minutes after post)

i know what you mean, drunk or not. i think it goes back to when you are a baby: when you are crying your mother picks you up and holds you. so it is inately comforting to be hugged and held. i was really high this weekend, and my friend thought i looked comfortable so he wrapped another blanket around me. him tucking me in like that made me ridiculously happy. so i know exactly whats going on with you right now haha.

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sahaven offline Verified User (3 weeks, 6 days) Shouts: 97 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 5 days ago (6 minutes after post)

i want a hug =/

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Godfather offline Verified User (1 year, 5 months) Long Term User Shouts: 11 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 5 days ago (8 minutes after post)

I can absolutely understand that. When I drink I’m inevitably sad, and for some reason I thought to myself, I could really use a hug.

I don’t know if it is an indication of spiritual significance, biological mandate, psychological insight, but I think it is an existential issue that should be acknowledged. That, if we find within ourselves a sadness caused by ourselves - by our own minds and hearts - that the only refuge we can seek is within the arms of someone else. We need other people, despite the negative impact they often have, they are the only people who can save us from ourselves.

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Abba Zabba offline Verified User (5 months, 1 week) Long Term User Shouts: 9 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 5 days ago (16 minutes after post)

Humans love to be in the company of other humans. Natural instinct. I also agree with the baby theory. Plus, they’re warm and squidgy :)
I want a hug too dang nabbit…

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Godfather offline Verified User (1 year, 5 months) Long Term User Shouts: 11 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 5 days ago (18 minutes after post)

Abba Zabba wrote:
I want a hug too dang nabbit…

Well put lol. It just seems strange that such a small physical act can offer such wonderful emotional comfort.

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Abba Zabba offline Verified User (5 months, 1 week) Long Term User Shouts: 9 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 5 days ago (22 minutes after post)

I know. Weird but wonderful. But now you’ve put me in the mood for a hug and since there is nobody to hug I’ll just have to go hug a lifeless pillow, lol.

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Godfather offline Verified User (1 year, 5 months) Long Term User Shouts: 11 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 5 days ago (23 minutes after post)

lol great idea.

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Abba Zabba offline Verified User (5 months, 1 week) Long Term User Shouts: 9 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 5 days ago (25 minutes after post)

Have to say quickly, for a drunk guy you type very legibly, lol. Kudos to you sir.

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Godfather offline Verified User (1 year, 5 months) Long Term User Shouts: 11 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 5 days ago (28 minutes after post)

lol I’m quite something. Been through half a handle of rum, and yet my writing is quite spectacular.

If anyone else would like to share their thoughts on the comfort of hugs, I don’t think it is at all a waste of time to talk about the simple comforts of life.

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Godfather invited 1 user to read this post 2 weeks, 5 days ago.

picklettoes1 offline Verified User (2 weeks, 5 days) Shouts: 0 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 5 days ago (36 minutes after post)

I agree with this, that is why I like wearing Free Hugs t-shirts, you never know whose day you may brighten.

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Shadowplay offline Verified User (2 years, 6 months) Long Term User Shouts: 8 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 5 days ago (40 minutes after post)

There’s just something in feeling the warmth emitted form another body, hearing their heartbeat, just knowing that they’re there.

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Mr. P offline Verified User (1 year, 5 months) Long Term User Shouts: 2 #
An Undisclosed Location | 2 weeks, 5 days ago (5 hours, 26 minutes after post)

I think one of the worst feelings is that of going through torment alone. Solidarity almost adds an entire level of anguish to already desperate situations, so having someone there . . . knowing someone is there through the sensory storm of a hug must be comforting. It keeps one’s mind from wandering too far from the path of sanity.

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Max offline Verified User (1 year, 8 months) Long Term User Shouts: 169 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 4 days ago (7 hours, 14 minutes after post)

A hug says were human and we good:) Hugs:)

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Je ne sais pa offline Verified User (2 years) Long Term User Shouts: 209 #
An Undisclosed Location | 2 weeks, 4 days ago (11 hours, 30 minutes after post)

Well if the one hugging me is hot devine yum male peace of yummyness well grr i just cant help it lol.
but i thinks its cause we humans love physical contact though i think some one said that?

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Dr. Ralph offline Verified User (1 year, 1 month) Long Term User Shouts: 76 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 4 days ago (13 hours, 59 minutes after post)

Nothing like a hug from your mom for some reason. I miss those more than anything.

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♥Rαvєr♥ offline Verified User (1 year) Long Term User Shouts: 99 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 4 days ago (14 hours, 57 minutes after post)

Mr!! I know why you felt like that,

because you know who visited
you know what happened
you know what feelings used to be like
subconciously you know what goes round in your head after you know who and you know what!

and then you were feeling lonely :(

Its completely normal, however!! I hate hugs when i’m sad, I love them when i’m ok but when i’m sad it just upsets me more and I hate being touched. Then again i’m not really used to being comforted. Maybe i’m just weird :p

love ya xx

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Godfather offline Verified User (1 year, 5 months) Long Term User Shouts: 11 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 4 days ago (15 hours, 6 minutes after post)

lol I know what you’re thinking, but she actually never came. I was feeling sad this weekend because all my plans were canceled this weekend I was left alone for 3 days with a great deal of alcohol.

I was just lonely and felt like a hug lol.

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♥Rαvєr♥ offline Verified User (1 year) Long Term User Shouts: 99 #
An Unknown Location | 2 weeks, 4 days ago (15 hours, 12 minutes after post)

Oww, :(

Next time email me if you want to. I’ll send you a pic of random stuff ! :P

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sweetpipi012 offline Unverified User #
An Unknown Location | 1 week, 1 day ago (1 week, 4 days after post)

hey i can defitnatly understand how that feel!!! hugs are so powerful and whenever u get a hug u’ll feel better no matter what!!!

that’s a nice one! really like it 3

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