Physical affection is often dismissed as a simple gesture. In reality, a hug is a fundamental mechanism of emotional regulation and psychological safety, activating deep biological systems that help people feel secure, grounded and connected.
That is the central message of psychologist and psychotherapist Anna Kalymniou, speaking to AMNA on the occasion of World Hug Day (21 January). Kalymniou explains how physical contact affects the brain, reduces stress, supports mental and physical health, and why its absence has broader social consequences.
What happens in the brain and body during a hug
When people hug, a primary biological safety system is activated. Receptors in the skin send signals to the brain that stimulate areas associated with social bonding, care and stress regulation.
On a neurochemical level, the body releases oxytocin, a hormone linked to trust, closeness and emotional calm. At the same time, cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, decreases. The autonomic nervous system shifts away from alertness and towards relaxation.
Physically, heart rate slows, breathing deepens and the body enters a state of calm. A hug functions as a deeply ingrained biological signal conveying safety.
Is the effect temporary or long-term?
A hug does not offer a cure in itself, but when physical contact is a stable element of trusting relationships, it can contribute to long-term stress regulation.
Research shows that consistent physical affection is associated with lower anxiety levels and stronger psychological resilience. In clinical practice, people who grow up or live in environments marked by warmth and physical closeness tend to manage stress with greater emotional flexibility.
Who benefits most from physical contact?
Physical contact is important for everyone, but it is particularly beneficial for children, older adults and people experiencing loneliness, depression or social isolation.
For children, hugs help build a sense of safety and basic trust in the world. For older adults, physical contact reduces isolation and strengthens emotional connection. For people with depressive symptoms, hugs can help counter feelings of disconnection from both their bodies and others, provided consent and emotional safety are present.
At which stages of life is physical contact most critical?
From the very first moments of life, touch plays a decisive role in shaping a person’s sense of security. Infants do not understand the world through language, but through how they are held, embraced and physically supported.
These early bodily experiences transmit messages of safety or threat. When touch is consistent and reliable, it helps form an internal sense of stability and trust.
In adulthood, hugs remain equally significant. The ability to accept physical closeness is closely tied to whether a person developed secure boundaries early in life. When touch respects those boundaries, it becomes a powerful form of communication and reassurance.
Can hugs affect physical health?
Beyond mental wellbeing, physical contact appears to support physical health. Evidence links it to improved cardiovascular function, stronger immune response and better sleep quality.
Because chronic stress is a risk factor for many illnesses, the stress-reducing effect of physical contact carries tangible biological benefits. In this sense, a hug can be seen as a simple yet effective form of bodily care.
Why some people struggle with hugs
Some individuals need physical contact but simultaneously fear it. People with traumatic experiences, neglect or insecure attachment histories may associate closeness with pain or loss.
This internal conflict, longing for connection while fearing it, is common in therapy. The goal is never to force closeness, but to gradually restore the sense that relationships can be safe, predictable and respectful of boundaries.
What does reduced physical contact mean for society?
The decline of physical contact reflects more than the absence of hugs. It signals a broader erosion of relational experience.
A society with diminished physical closeness risks increased loneliness, emotional dysregulation and social disconnection. When touch disappears, individuals are left to manage emotional burdens alone that would otherwise be shared.
A hug, therefore, is not merely a tender gesture. It is a core mechanism of emotional containment and care, allowing people to feel safe, whole and genuinely connected.
Source: AMNA