Key points

Many factors affect how much we like a hug.

Deep pressure is key for a great hug.

A time between 5 and 10 seconds is ideal for a great hug.

Most (not all!) people love hugs, but have you ever wondered how to have a perfect hug with another person who also wants to hug you? Here are some recent scientific findings on which factors influence how much we like a hug.

1. Hug like you mean it—deep pressure is the key!

A recent study in the scientific journal Biological Psychology investigated which elements of touching during hugging influence the feeling of social connection with the other person ( Damon and co-workers, 2025 ). Seventy-five volunteers experienced either deep or light pressure from a weighted blanket while they were also exposed to warm or neutral temperatur

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