Hug Facts
Hug Facts

12 Cuddly Hugs Facts

James Israelsen
By James Israelsen, Associate Writer
Published September 17, 2022Updated March 28, 2025
  • When a Dutch national television program broadcast footage of an aging chimpanzee embracing a scientist who regularly cared for her, many viewers wrote to say they had been moved to tears.[3]
  • Chimpanzees in zoos have been observed embracing each other as they enjoy their first spring day outside.[3]
  • Before retiring in 2018, Arizona restaurant owner Randy Walters advertised "free hugs," on a sign posted outside his restaurants.[6]
  • After the tragedy of September 11, 2001, cyclist David Hale Sylvester began going on bicycling-and-hugging tours all over the world and has staged multiple "hug parties" on three different continents. As of 2021, he had hugged over half a million people.[5]
  • Humans hug to express a variety of emotions, including happiness, sadness, excitement, or a desire to comfort.[2]
  • Scientists say that hugging can help reduce stress.[2]
  • Research has shown that hugging and hand-holding with a romantic partner can have positive effects on a person's heart health.[2]
    • Hug Benefits
    Hugging is beneficial on a chemical level
  • Because a person's levels of oxytocin rise when they hug, scientists sometimes refer to it as the "cuddle hormone."[2]
  • Scientists have found that hugging a teddy bear can reduce a person's fears and anxieties about their own mortality.[2]
  • One family therapist has said, "We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth."[2]
  • After being brought together following a complicated and premature delivery, a set of identical twins in Australia were photographed hugging each other.[1]
    • Twins Hugging
    Heartwarming
  • Although many critics voiced their suspicion that Queen Elizabeth of England was upset when then-First Lady Michelle Obama gave her a hug, one of her biographers said the Queen felt just the opposite; she was even glad to show Obama affection in return.[4]
    • Cute Hugging INFOGRAPHIC
    Hugs Infographic Thumbnail
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