During the COVID-19 pandemic, handshakes and kisses have become high-risk gestures, frustrating many who miss physical greetings. Public health guidelines urge avoiding them to curb virus spread. Hugs present similar challenges, yet the lack of touch takes an emotional toll.
A New Scientist article from August 5, 2020, detailed a survey by Tiffany Field at the University of Florida. It found that 60% of respondents felt deprived of human contact in the first month of lockdown. Those affected reported higher rates of anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and post-traumatic stress.
Another study, prepublished on medRxiv on May 20, 2020, by Molly Rosenberg at Indiana University's School of Public Health-Bloomington, showed hugs provide real benefits. Frequent hugging correlates with lower heart rates, reduced cortisol (stress hormone) levels, and elevated oxytocin (the 'love hormone').
Molly Rosenberg stresses barrier measures for those outside your household but notes it's possible to hug while limiting risks. Linsey Marr, a Virginia Tech aerosol expert cited in New Scientist, emphasizes brevity—most hugs are short, keeping exposure low.
To hug safely: Avoid all face contact (no kisses). Wrap arms around each other briefly, turning heads outward. Wash hands immediately after. Even with precautions, hugs aren't risk-free and shouldn't become routine. Wait for the pandemic to wane before resuming freely.
