9 Different Types of Hugs And What Each Reveals About Your Relationship

Author : Shweta Advani

We use hugs to express our love for our family and friends. We also use them as a way of saying hello and goodbye when we meet good friends. And maybe we haven’t thought further than that about hugs. I mean, what is there to think about? Well actually, there’s a lot more to hugs than we know. Let’s find out about the type of hugs and what each type signifies in a relationship




Hugs are the most beautiful form of communication that builds trust and a sense of safety. It lets the other person know beyond any doubt that they matter and they are loved.

A hug that lasts longer than 20 seconds builds happy and feel good chemicals like oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin that elevates our mood and heals feelings of loneliness, isolation and fear.



“We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.” – Virginia Satir, Therapist and counselor.

There are different types of hugs that convey different messages between people. Hugs can reveal a lot about our relationships.

9 Different Types of Hugs And What Each Reveals About Your Relationship

Let’s find out what the nine types of hugs are and what they reveal about the state of our relationships:




 

1) Hug From Behind – Protector

Hug From Behind - Protector

The back hug is when someone comes from the behind and hugs you. It could be while you are working in the kitchen or engrossed in some other work and your partner comes and pulls you closer and embraces you from the back. It is a very intimate form of the hug. It means the person is into you and they are also willing to go all miles to protect you. It literally screams “I got your back”.
If your guy hugs you like this often, you got a keeper!

 

2). The hug with a pat on the back

The hug with a pat on the back

The hug with a pat on the back signifies assurance and comfort. We usually pat someone on the back while hugging them when we want to console them or comfort them. It is more like a friendly hug and can be shared between anyone, parents and kids or friends or acquaintances. It doesn’t have a romantic connotation to it.




 

3) Hug at waist

Hug at waist

This kind of hug is an intimate gesture and it shows that your partner is pretty inclined towards you and wants to spend as much time as possible with you.
He trusts you and wants you to be in his intimate space and he is happy to see you.

 

4) Hug while making eye contact

Hug while making eye contact

Hugs while making eye contact speak of an intimacy of another level. It is when two people share a deep bond that they look into each other’s eyes while hugging.
It is all sparks and fire in the relationship if you have this kind of chemistry and love.
Hold on this one girls!

 




5) The bear hug

Types of Hugs

The bear hug is tight and reassuring and speaks volumes about the love that you have for the other person. It shows complete trust, comfort and intimacy between two partners. It is the sort of hug that relieves you of all sorts of tension and anxieties. It makes the person feel loved and safe at the same time.

If your guy hugs you like this then you have struck gold. He can be both your lover and best friend!

 

6) The hug that lasts and lasts

The hug that lasts and lasts




This kind of hug last and lasts. It is the most beautiful form of silent communication between two people who want to express their love and support.
When two people really are that comfortable with each other that they can sit in silence and hug each other for hours, it is a silent expression of how deeply they love each other and how they will stand with each other through thick and thin.

 

7) One handed hug

One handed hug

When he hugs you by pulling you closer with one arm, it is an indication that he wants to take you along on his journey. He will be ready to protect you and will extend and support when needed.

 

8) Polite hug

Polite hug



It is the type of hug that is given sideways without making too much contact with the upper body or lower body. It is generally given to friends and acquaintances.

It is just a friendly and polite way of greeting someone.

If your hugs you like this even after few dates, then there is still some distance or awkwardness between you two and not enough intimacy.

 

9) Buddy hug

Buddy hug

This hug is also given sideways but with your arms over each other’s shoulders or on the waist. It suggests a level of comfort that transcends romantic love. It implies you are not just couples but also best friends or partners in crime.



You may also like

9 Different Types of Hugs And What Each Reveals About Your Relationship
9 Different Types of Hugs And What Each Reveals About Your Relationship


Published On:

Last updated on:

Shweta Advani

An HR consultant by profession, a slam poet and freelance writer.Avid reader,dancer and yoga enthusiast. When I am not reading or writing, I star gaze or take long walks in nature.

Disclaimer: The informational content on The Minds Journal have been created and reviewed by qualified mental health professionals. They are intended solely for educational and self-awareness purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing emotional distress or have concerns about your mental health, please seek help from a licensed mental health professional or healthcare provider.

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We use hugs to express our love for our family and friends. We also use them as a way of saying hello and goodbye when we meet good friends. And maybe we haven’t thought further than that about hugs. I mean, what is there to think about? Well actually, there’s a lot more to hugs than we know. Let’s find out about the type of hugs and what each type signifies in a relationship




Hugs are the most beautiful form of communication that builds trust and a sense of safety. It lets the other person know beyond any doubt that they matter and they are loved.

A hug that lasts longer than 20 seconds builds happy and feel good chemicals like oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin that elevates our mood and heals feelings of loneliness, isolation and fear.



“We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.” – Virginia Satir, Therapist and counselor.

There are different types of hugs that convey different messages between people. Hugs can reveal a lot about our relationships.

9 Different Types of Hugs And What Each Reveals About Your Relationship

Let’s find out what the nine types of hugs are and what they reveal about the state of our relationships:




 

1) Hug From Behind – Protector

Hug From Behind - Protector

The back hug is when someone comes from the behind and hugs you. It could be while you are working in the kitchen or engrossed in some other work and your partner comes and pulls you closer and embraces you from the back. It is a very intimate form of the hug. It means the person is into you and they are also willing to go all miles to protect you. It literally screams “I got your back”.
If your guy hugs you like this often, you got a keeper!

 

2). The hug with a pat on the back

The hug with a pat on the back

The hug with a pat on the back signifies assurance and comfort. We usually pat someone on the back while hugging them when we want to console them or comfort them. It is more like a friendly hug and can be shared between anyone, parents and kids or friends or acquaintances. It doesn’t have a romantic connotation to it.




 

3) Hug at waist

Hug at waist

This kind of hug is an intimate gesture and it shows that your partner is pretty inclined towards you and wants to spend as much time as possible with you.
He trusts you and wants you to be in his intimate space and he is happy to see you.

 

4) Hug while making eye contact

Hug while making eye contact

Hugs while making eye contact speak of an intimacy of another level. It is when two people share a deep bond that they look into each other’s eyes while hugging.
It is all sparks and fire in the relationship if you have this kind of chemistry and love.
Hold on this one girls!

 




5) The bear hug

Types of Hugs

The bear hug is tight and reassuring and speaks volumes about the love that you have for the other person. It shows complete trust, comfort and intimacy between two partners. It is the sort of hug that relieves you of all sorts of tension and anxieties. It makes the person feel loved and safe at the same time.

If your guy hugs you like this then you have struck gold. He can be both your lover and best friend!

 

6) The hug that lasts and lasts

The hug that lasts and lasts




This kind of hug last and lasts. It is the most beautiful form of silent communication between two people who want to express their love and support.
When two people really are that comfortable with each other that they can sit in silence and hug each other for hours, it is a silent expression of how deeply they love each other and how they will stand with each other through thick and thin.

 

7) One handed hug

One handed hug

When he hugs you by pulling you closer with one arm, it is an indication that he wants to take you along on his journey. He will be ready to protect you and will extend and support when needed.

 

8) Polite hug

Polite hug



It is the type of hug that is given sideways without making too much contact with the upper body or lower body. It is generally given to friends and acquaintances.

It is just a friendly and polite way of greeting someone.

If your hugs you like this even after few dates, then there is still some distance or awkwardness between you two and not enough intimacy.

 

9) Buddy hug

Buddy hug

This hug is also given sideways but with your arms over each other’s shoulders or on the waist. It suggests a level of comfort that transcends romantic love. It implies you are not just couples but also best friends or partners in crime.



You may also like

9 Different Types of Hugs And What Each Reveals About Your Relationship
9 Different Types of Hugs And What Each Reveals About Your Relationship


Published On:

Last updated on:

Shweta Advani

An HR consultant by profession, a slam poet and freelance writer.Avid reader,dancer and yoga enthusiast. When I am not reading or writing, I star gaze or take long walks in nature.

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