Different Types of Hugs: An old friend eagerly gives you a lengthy, firm hug when you meet them for lunch. You’re left wondering as the seconds pass if this is just a friendly embrace or if it indicates they’ve been secretly crushing on you for all these years! You can tell if someone is feeling love or just seeing you as a friend by the length, position of their body, and amount of pressure used during an embrace. To help you embrace it like you mean it, we’ll explain the meaning behind the types of hug in this post and show you how to give one.
1. The Catcher Hug
After being apart for a long time, this is a joyful, passionate embrace. Your lover will come running up to you and throw themselves into your arms, giving you a lengthy, tight hug. This joyful, loving hug expresses a great deal of trust and affection between you and your companion.
Turn your significant other around for an even more tender, passionate hug if you are the one receiving it.
To express how much you’ve missed them, bury your head in their neck and wrap your legs around their waist when you give them this embrace.
2. The Triangle Hug
This hug is awkward and chilly; there is no physical contact. The triangular hug is a physical hug in which the hugger and you are positioned far apart from one another. This is an obligatory, incredibly brief, and courteous hug.
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3. Giving each other a back hug
This embrace could suggest a love relationship or a parent-child bond, depending on how it is given. In a romantic situation, one person typically stands behind the other, placing their arms around their partner’s chest or torso and putting their front right up against their backside. When a parent and child are together, the adult can bend over, put their arms over the child’s chest from behind, and either hold the youngster or gently rock them back and forth.
What it means: This stance helps couples bond because it allows them to remain physically near while gazing at the same scene, according to Mattenson. In most relationships, the taller partner will be behind (much like spooning, which is a typical snuggling posture). The shorter person can deliver a behind-the-back hug to allow the “big spoon” to have a chance at becoming the “little spoon.”
Parents can also offer their kids a fantastic embrace with it. “It gives them that extra support behind their back that’s saying ‘I’ve got your back,'” adds Mattenson.
4. Giving a waist hug
This kind of hug involves both parties wrapping their arms around each other’s waists when their waists are perfectly lined up. They can lean back and meet each other’s gaze in this posture.
What it means: This is a close, passionate hug that leaves room for someone to approach. “They can take it into a more playful sexual realm, maybe start kissing or gazing into each other’s eyes,” Mattenson suggests.
5. A bear Hug, often known as a squeezed-tight hug
The majority of bear hugs are given when standing. It resembles a regular hug, only closer, tighter, and typically lasting longer. Another way to give a bear embrace is to lie down and lay on top of each other; this is known as the “love blanket,” according to Mattenson.
What it means: Colker claims that receiving a bear hug makes us feel safe and warm, just like we did when we were in the womb. Moreover, it facilitates the parasympathetic nervous system’s activation, which lets us exit the fight, flight, or freeze response. “This type of hug is so satiating on a physical, human level,” adds Mattenson. Bear hugs are appropriate for family members, close friends, and romantic partners.
6. A one-sided Hug
When two people embrace one way, they are facing one another. Usually, one is offering the embrace and the other is receiving it. Usually, the receiver is limp and has their arms at their sides. The one giving (or supporting) is holding the other one close.
What it implies: Although one-sided hugs are frequently perceived as being forced or unwelcome, they can actually be emotionally reassuring. “It’s OK to crumble into your partner a little bit and have them support you when things are really challenging,” adds Colker. All in all, accepting a one-sided hug gives you permission to accept.
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7. A heartfelt Hug
When two people embrace heart to heart, their left sides come into contact with each other’s hearts first. You can perform this while sitting or standing. You can cross your arms and legs while seated. Mattenson suggests holding it for at least three minutes.
What it means: According to Mattenson, “most people hug inadvertently starting from the right side because it’s more protective and farther away from the heart.” “When you go in from the left side, it’s intimate.” For couples that want to spend more time together intimately, this is a terrific embrace.
Heart-to-heart hugs are also helpful for those who prefer not to hug but need to placate a loved one who considers physical contact to be a love language. “It’s more nourishing for both of you, even if you don’t enjoy the physical touch aspect of it,” explains Colker.
8. The Traditional Hug
Family and friends are sharing this cozy, intimate hug. One of the most popular types of hugs is the classic one, in which the hugger and the recipient place their arms around each other, heads next to chests, and chests touching. Give them a great hug by putting your arms around them strongly and maintaining the hug for a few seconds.
This hug is usually given and received when saying goodbye to someone or extending a long-overdue greeting.
Someone who is in love with you could give you a slightly closer hug or a slightly tighter grip.
9. The Swift Hug
A quick hug is a polite, conversational welcome. This is a standard hug that serves only as a courteous greeting. Your lower body is not in contact with your upper body. This hug could be from a family member, coworker, or an old friend.
Someone you’re interested in might just be rushing somewhere if they give you this hug. On the other hand, people might regard you as a friend if you smile politely and avoid making eye contact.
10. The Hug with Pats
A kind pat on the back expresses warmth and comfort. Before you separate, give each other a few brief pats or rubs. This embrace is strictly friendly. It’s more like an intimate hug between close friends because there’s still a connection between the shoulders and chest.
Men typically give their pals a few back slaps when they welcome them, which is why this hug is also known as the “Bro” or “Buddy” hug.
