The connection between hugs and weight loss

by Martha Edwards (Subscribe to Martha Edwards's posts)
Nov 15th 2006 10:13AM

Categories: Healthy Relationships, Motivation

More hugs = less excess weight, according to this. Does this sound like a load of hooey? Maybe, but maybe not. This idea was developed by family therapist Virginia Satir, and she asserted that we need 8 hugs a day to survive, 12 to thrive. That's right -- 12 hugs a day to thrive. I'm not a touchy-feely person, but I think this sounds like a good idea. Hugs help boost self-esteem and increase feelings of self-worth, and these can both help promote weight loss and emotional well-being. Plus, hugging can't hurt you, right?

I'm going to try it out. What about you?

For further inspiration, check out this previous post.

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Comments (14)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jean 11-21-2006 @ 11:14PM

I agree that a dozen hugs can help one to thrive! They can be written, as in an email; oral, as in a neat phone call or a compliment from someone you respect, or they can be the real ones that can last and last and last! :-)

stephanie 11-21-2006 @ 11:14PM

that is soooo true...i was reading anything wierd in the news lately and saw this and wow i love it....it is soooo true....i am in high school and everyday i hug about 30 people...a day!..and it does help you feel loved and apreciated and even if ur not a touchy feely person, who can help a good nice warm hug from a friend that really loves you!...

Sam 11-21-2006 @ 11:14PM

I LOVE hugs! They make me feel so good and seem to make everything alright again. I love giving them, too! Especially in these colder months. They make ya feel all warm and fuzzy and wanted and stuff. Lol.

Jennifer 11-21-2006 @ 11:14PM

This seems really nice. But I could only imagine someone losing probably about 1 pound in 2 months from hugs. It just doesn't seem quite effective enough to even notice a difference. Hugs are nice though.

C Del Favero 11-21-2006 @ 11:14PM

I think I could go for this hugs diet. You can't go wrong!

alexandra 11-21-2006 @ 11:14PM

you can't beat a hug. they feel so good and yes, it makes you feel safe and secure. who was that guy that was giving out free hugs?he was on oprah and i thought it was awesome. here's a hug to all of you!!! don't forget your'e pets too!

theresia 11-25-2006 @ 11:44PM

my 23 yr. son passed on in 2004. the hugs he gave me is what I miss,so now every time my other two son's come over ,they can't go home without a great big HUG. they laugh so you know it makes us all feel better.KEEP ON HUGGING!!

Ree 11-22-2006 @ 11:56AM

LOL ~ thanks, Alexandra...back atcha! One can never have too many hugs.

DRKNOW 11-22-2006 @ 11:56AM

Why do people who hug more lose weight? Because they're not using Haagen-Daz as their best friend. Ultimately it still boils down to the simple arithmetic of how much you put in and how much you burn off.

Yta 11-22-2006 @ 11:57AM

Giving and receiving a hug is an incredible feeling. I know when I'm having a difficult day, I need a hug. A hug can make your day and change everything. It's amazing -- no words required just the touch of another makes you feel connected, respected and safe. There's nothing sweeter than another person reaching out to you with arms that open naturally to embrace you or when you reach over to embrace another. What a beautiful way to say you care.

Glo 11-22-2006 @ 11:57AM

Hugs are the best form of medicine. They make you feel good inside and let you know that someone cares. That is very important and everyone should have someone to hug. I guess you could lose lbs. but I don't know how that would work!!

sandy 11-22-2006 @ 11:57AM

I think hugs can definitely help. People reach out for food when they don't have other people to reach out to. I give my kids lots of hugs, but when my first baby was old enough to actually hug me back, that was the most wonderful feeling!!!!

JoAnn 11-22-2006 @ 11:57AM

Hi Alexandra: Thank you for the hug -- I smiled when I read when you said "Here's a hug to all of you". And I'm sending a hug to you, too. What a sweet young lady you are! I don't get hugs every day and I'm a lady that loves hugs. Had lots of hugs this past weekend when my niece and her 4-month old beautiful son came for a visit. There were lots of hugs and kisses. I will see my family for Christmas and there will be lots of hugs there, too. Hugs DO make you feel better -- all fuzzy inside -- and they make you SMILE and you feel loved. I'm sending a big hug to everyone out there. Grab the person next to you and hug them! I'll grab my teddy bear and hug him!!

Bill 11-22-2006 @ 11:58AM

Some of you people are totally missing the point here. The act of hugging in itself does not make you lose weight. Its the feeling that hugging can give a person, to thrive, to feel better inside. That is what triggers it. It you feel better, you strive to be better.