5-10 seconds will be optimal: scientists have revealed an interesting fact about hugs and advised how to calm down if there is no one around

Dunedin International Airport on New Zealand's South Island has decided to introduce a three-minute hug limit in the airport's drop-off area to reduce crowds. And passengers who want to say goodbye longer are offered to go to the parking lot.

Psychologists emphasize that even 5-10 seconds of hugging has several physical and psychological benefits. If no one is around, hugging yourself will also help, The Guardian writes.

"The primary method of social connection for creating relationships is physical touch," said Professor Robin Dunbar, an evolutionary psychologist at Oxford University and author of The Social Brain.

"What happens below the surface is that a highly specialized neural system in the skin is triggered that responds to very specific stimulation – a light, slow stroke at 3 cm per second and this triggers the endorphin system in the brain, which makes you feel calm and relaxed," the scientist explained.

While the release of endorphins helps build and maintain close relationships, the benefits of hugging also extend to other areas of health and well-being, experts say.

"Many of us know that hugging feels good, but we rarely stop to think about the other positive effects of hugging," said Professor Michael Banissy, a social neuroscientist at the University of Bristol and author of When We Touch.

First, hugs can affect our immune response, experts say. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in the United States found a correlation between how often people experience hugs and their ability to fight off colds. Those who received regular hugs in the 14 days before exposure to the common cold virus were less likely to become infected and experienced fewer serious symptoms compared to those who did not hug.

Another study found that women who hugged their partner before experiencing stress had a lower biological stress response compared to those who did not receive hugs.

"In the context of traveling to the airport and departing, a hug can be helpful in terms of managing people's anxiety or stress levels. Three minutes might be enough," suggested Michael Banissy.

"On the other hand, we know that touch and hugs are highly contextualized, so the touch needs to be welcome and appropriate. There is a risk that if you limit it to a certain time, people may feel a little tense about it," the professor added.

Cross-hugging

Scientists distinguish between several types of hugs. The most common is the cross-hug – when people cross their arms over each other's shoulders and waist. But the duration is important here.

"If the hug is too short, people won't necessarily feel the benefits in terms of emotional intimacy. But if it's too long, people may start to feel uncomfortable. 5-10 seconds is the optimal time for a hug," Banissy said.

An all-encompassing hug

When a person is feeling down or has received terrible news, a big hug can be calming and emotionally supportive, experts say. "It's when someone wraps their arms around you, getting very close," explained Michael Banissy.

Bear hug

According to experts, bear hugs are a random expression of emotion, without much meaning or tenderness. "Bear hugs are often a celebratory phenomenon, like a family reunion or recognition of an achievement," Banissy added.

Sports hugs

Physical gestures are a common feature of team sports. This includes half-hugs, scientists say. "If you look at how often teammates engage in positive touch, including hugging, but also things like fist bumps and high fives, you'll see that teams that do this more often at the beginning of the season often win more games. There is some connection with hugging and team cohesion," said the social neuroscientist.

Hugging a global leader

Hugging in a professional environment may seem inappropriate, experts say. So it's no surprise that politicians often look uncomfortable when they show emotion. "Restrained forms of touch in a professional environment lay the groundwork for things like cooperation and trust. People who shake hands more often before business negotiations are more likely to achieve mutually beneficial results," Banissy emphasized.

Self-hugging

According to psychologists, hugging yourself before a stressful event can help mitigate the emotional impact. But if you don't have a person nearby who can hug you, you should put your own palms to your heart, and stomach, or pat yourself on the arm.

When scientists from Goethe University in Germany compared the effects of self-soothing gestures with a hug from someone else, they found that both groups released less of the stress hormone cortisol in response to a stressful situation.

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