• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Lasso The Moon
  • Welcome
  • Parenting
  • Recipes
  • Family Games
  • Travel
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Welcome
  • Parenting
  • Recipes
  • Family Games
  • Travel
search icon
Homepage link
  • Welcome
  • Parenting
  • Recipes
  • Family Games
  • Travel
×

Home » Blog » Modern Parenting

How to Say "You Matter to Me" by Hugging Properly

Published: Sep 28, 2015 · Modified: Sep 28, 2016 by Zina Harrington · Post may contain affiliate links

2.1K shares

We've all heard of the health benefits of hugging, but do you hold your hugs long enough to enjoy the perks?

This morning when a friend mentioned her family's 6-second rule. I paused. She explained that's how long it takes to start to feel oxytocin kick-in. I did a little research and sure enough:

According to research at DePauw University, oxytocin promotes the feelings of trust and devotion. The catch is the longer, the better. In order to fully release the oxytocin in your body and the person you are hugging, it needs to be at least 6 seconds, although a super-long 20-second hug will maximize this.

Hugs are hard for me. I do not come from a family of huggers. I can literally count the number of times, that I remember, my mother hugging me on my hands. Yet, I hug my kids every single day.

Moving forward, I am going to try and attempt to consciously hold my hugs with the kids, my husband and my friends for at least a solid 6-seconds because...

hugging is a silent way of saying ... you matter to me.
SHARE THIS ON FACEBOOK

As my girls hit the teen years, I have a feeling being able to say "you matter to me" is going to become more important, but also more challenging.  I love the simplicity of a long hug being a tool to silently convey the message.

sig

More Parenting With Presence

  • Family Game Night Ideas: Tips For a Fun & Stress-Free Evening
  • Learning To Lose With The Game Memory Matching
  • 12 Addictive Reads: The Best Book Series For Teens
  • I just need 1-minute of silence, so I don't lose my mind
2.1K shares

Primary Sidebar

Portrait of Zina

Hi, I'm Zina! You know you’re in the right spot if — You believe in game nights. You believe in PJ movie parties. You believe in breakfast for dinner. And most importantly, you believe happiness is family.

Let me show you around →

Popular

  • 7 Astoundingly Helpful Tips for Moving With Cats into a New Home
  • 5 Brutally Honest Things Every Woman Turning 40 Should Know
  • The Best Way To Pack a Suitcase: How to Travel With a Family + a Single Suitcase
  • How to Ensure Your Tween ROCKS the First Day of Middle School
  • Hidden Valley Ranch Chicken Marinade — THE BEST Chicken Recipe With Only 4-Ingredients!
  • Chicken Biscuit Casserole

Footer

↑ back to top

Lasso The Moon

  • About This Site
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Slow Down In Life

  • Overwhelm and busy get in the way of finding time for what really matters in life. Ready to reset? Join me at Becoming UnBusy too!

Slow Living Movement

  • "She silently stepped out of the race she never wanted to be in, found her own lane, and proceeded to win."
    — Pam Lambert

Copyright © 2020 Lasso The Moon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

2.1K shares