-By Sanaya Shroff

Discover why one heartfelt hug could be the simplest prescription for better mental health, stronger relationships and a happier, healthier life…

When was the last time someone gave you a hug that seemed to make the world pause for a moment? Perhaps it was your mother embracing you before an important exam, your father squeezing your shoulder after a personal setback, your spouse greeting you after a long day, or a dear friend holding you tightly when words simply weren’t enough. Some hugs celebrate life’s happiest moments, while others quietly carry us through its darkest hours. Their language is universal. They reassure us that we are loved, understood and never truly alone.

As the world marks International Free Hugs Day on 4^th July, let’s reflect on one of humanity’s oldest and most powerful forms of communication. Long before we learnt to speak, write or even smile, we understood the language of touch. Across every culture and every generation, a hug remains one of the simplest yet most profound expressions of human connection.

Psychologists have long recognised that human touch is far more than a pleasant gesture. It is a biological necessity. From the moment a baby enters the world until the final years of life, affectionate touch plays a vital role in emotional wellbeing, mental health and even physical survival.

Science explains these remarkable effects… When we hug someone we trust, our brain releases oxytocin, often called the “bonding hormone” or “love hormone.” Oxytocin strengthens feelings of trust, belonging and emotional safety. At the same time, hugging lowers cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, while reducing blood pressure, slowing the heart rate and relaxing tense muscles. In many ways, our bodies are biologically designed to respond positively to loving human touch.

Yet science only explains part of the story. The true power of a hug lies in what it communicates without saying a single word. A parent’s embrace tells a frightened child, “You’re safe.” Grandparents hug grandchildren to pass on love, comfort and family traditions that words can never fully capture. Lifelong friends embrace after years apart because the affection between them has remained unchanged despite time and distance. Couples often hug after disagreements because reconciliation is sometimes felt before it is spoken. Athletes instinctively hug teammates after victory because shared achievement creates a powerful emotional bond. During grief, when conversations become impossible, a silent embrace often becomes the greatest expression of compassion.

Psychologists often describe hugs as emotional regulators. They calm an overwhelmed nervous system, reduce feelings of isolation and help restore a sense of emotional balance. This is why people instinctively reach for one another after frightening experiences, accidents, natural disasters or unexpected bad news. In moments of uncertainty, our bodies seek reassurance through connection.

Interestingly, the opposite also exists. Mental health professionals refer to “touch starvation” or “skin hunger,” describing the emotional and psychological effects of prolonged absence of affectionate physical contact. During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions experienced this phenomenon for the first time. Despite remaining digitally connected through video calls and messaging apps, many people reported increased loneliness, anxiety and emotional fatigue simply because they lacked ordinary human contact.

Unfortunately, this challenge has not disappeared. Today’s lifestyles often encourage digital communication over personal interaction. Remote working, endless hours spent on screens and social media have made it easier to communicate, yet harder to genuinely connect. We exchange hundreds of messages every day, yet many people go weeks without a meaningful embrace.

Few experience this more deeply than elderly individuals living alone. For many seniors, a warm hug from a child, grandchild or close friend becomes one of life’s most treasured moments. Such simple gestures reduce loneliness, ease anxiety and remind them they remain valued members of their families and communities. Likewise, therapy animals demonstrate the remarkable healing power of touch. Stroking a dog or cat has repeatedly been shown to lower stress hormones, improve mood and create feelings of calm and security.

Of course, hugs should never be forced. Respecting personal boundaries and obtaining consent are essential. A meaningful hug is always one that both people genuinely welcome. True affection is built upon trust, mutual comfort and respect.

Perhaps we also underestimate the everyday opportunities to reconnect through touch. Hug your parents before leaving home. Hold your partner’s hand during an evening walk. Welcome old friends with genuine warmth instead of a casual wave. Celebrate success with an embrace. Comfort someone facing loss simply by standing beside them. Sometimes our presence says far more than carefully chosen words ever could.

In our fast-moving world, where productivity often overshadows presence, a hug gently reminds us of what truly matters. It tells us we are loved beyond our achievements, accepted beyond our imperfections and supported even during our weakest moments.

Technology has transformed how we communicate, but it can never replace the warmth of another human being. A sincere hug reassures us that someone shares our joys, our burdens and our journey. It costs nothing, asks for little and gives immeasurably in return. And maybe that’s why, even after thousands of years of civilisation, one of the greatest medicines for the heart still begins with two open arms!