What Is Sexual Hugging?

PDF download Download Article
Find out what differentiates sexual hugging from normal hugging, as well as the benefits of sexual hugging
PDF download Download Article

There are all kinds of hugs for all kinds of relationships and contexts, but what makes a hug sexual in nature? There are a few key differences between a sexual hug and a non-sexual one, but generally, a sexual hug is more intimate than a non-sexual hug. For a more thorough exploration into sexual hugging, we talked to certified professional matchmaker LeTisha Underwood about what constitutes a sexual hug, the benefits of sexual hugging, and how to incorporate this practice into your relationship. Keep reading for the details!

Sexual Hugging Key Points

  • Sexual hugging is typically characterized by physical contact between the upper and lower bodies. Sexual hugging fosters intimacy and trust between partners.
  • In contrast, a non-sexual hug usually only involves contact with the upper bodies and often doesn’t last as long as a sexual hug.
  • There are many benefits of sexual hugging, including alleviating stress, elevating calm and happiness, and improving sleep.
Section 1 of 5:

What is sexual hugging?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Sexual hugging is typically characterized by physical contact between the upper and lower bodies, in contrast to a non-sexual hug, which usually only involves contact with the upper bodies.
    • Sexual hugs may be romantic in nature as well as sexual, or they may be purely sexual.
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 5:

What’s the difference between a sexual hug and a normal hug?

PDF download Download Article
  1. The length of a hug can foster more intimacy and is usually reserved for people who are very close—often romantic and/or sexual partners.
  2. In a sexual hug, you might rub the other person’s back or rest your hands lower on their back or waist.
    • In contrast, in a non-sexual hug, hands and arms typically rest higher on the other person’s body and don’t rub or massage the other person.
  3. Sexual hugs tend to be tight, close embraces. Applying more physical pressure during a hug is likely to convey more closeness.
    • Meanwhile, a nonsexual hug is more likely to be loose, casual, and involve less pressure.
  4. A sexual embrace might be accompanied by intense eye contact, lip-biting, smelling one another—any sort of body language that indicates the hug is more than platonic.
  5. The environment and nature of the relationship often have a bearing on whether a hug is sexual or not.
    • A sexual hug is more likely to occur in a romantic or sexual relationship. It is also more likely to happen in a private space where participants are freer to be intimate.
    • You might embrace your partner in a sexual hug while watching a movie together or settling into bed for the night. You may also use a sexual hug as a segue to actual sex.
    6. Advertisement
Section 3 of 5:

Benefits of Sexual Hugging

PDF download Download Article
  1. Hugging releases hormones and neurochemicals such as oxytocin that boost feelings of pleasure, calm, and happiness. [1]
    • Sexual hugging can also decrease cortisol levels, the chemical associated with anxiety and stress. It can also improve sleep quality. [2]
    • It can also boost your immune system, thereby benefiting your physical health as well as mental and emotional health.
  2. Hugging your partner doesn’t just bring you physically closer ; it can also enhance your emotional connection . [3]
    • Hugging can improve communication and trust between partners, which may also improve feelings of support, safety, and affection.
    3. Advertisement
Section 4 of 5:

Different Types of Sexual Hugging

PDF download Download Article
  1. This is a typical hug, involving 2 participants facing one another and embracing. You can increase intimacy by holding the other person more tightly and closer to you.
    • To convey affection and foster intimacy, “[wrap] both arms around [their] neck with one palm resting ever so gently at the nape of [their] neck,” professional matchmaker LeTisha Underwood says. “Make it last longer than a second.”
  2. In this type of hug, one person embraces the other from behind. They may wrap their arms around the other person or hold their body close.
  3. Spooning is a hug from behind performed while lying down, often in bed. When spooning, one person (the “big spoon”) holds the other person (the “little spoon”) from behind as they both lie down.
    • Spooning is a great type of hug to incorporate into sexual foreplay, but it's also a cozy way to fall asleep or just relax with your partner.
    • Spooning is common among couples, but know that you and your partner aren’t limited to being either the big spoon or little spoon—feel free to mix it up sometimes!
  4. A bear hug involves one person embracing the other in a large hug in which their body is typically pressed against the other person’s. A bear hug conveys strength, protection, warmth, and support.
    • “Don’t forget to look into [their] eyes while smiling,” Underwood advises. Eye contact and smiling convey interest and help you feel more connected to one another.
    5. Advertisement
Section 5 of 5:

How to Incorporate Sexual Hugging in Your Relationship

PDF download Download Article
  1. Communicate your expectations with your partner before incorporating sexual hugging into your relationship to make sure you’re both on the same page.
    • Whether you’re hugging your partner or someone else, consent is always necessary. It’s important you know what your and your partner’s expectations and boundaries are before implementing sexual hugging.
    • For instance, they may enjoy spooning but find bear hugs claustrophobic, or perhaps they’re uncomfortable with unexpected physical contact and will need you to ask permission before initiating a hug.
    • You might say, “Hey Abdullah? I was thinking, if you’re comfortable with it, maybe we could try incorporating more sexual hugging into our relationship. How would you feel about that?”
  2. Any type of hugging , but especially sexual hugging, is best done in a place and context in which you and your partner are both comfortable and feel safe.
    • Often, this may be in your own home—especially the bedroom, if you intend for the sexual hugging to lead to sex.
    • Consider how the environment contributes (or not) to the activity of sexual hugging: would pillows and blankets make things more comfy? Maybe candles or music would set a romantic mood.
    • Be sure nobody is going to come over unexpectedly or call you. Consider turning off your phones for uninterrupted cuddling or sexual activity.
    3. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      130+ Sexy, Sweet, & Seductive Messages for Him
      Signs a Woman is Sexually Attracted to You
      How to
      Tell Her She's Sexy: Examples, Variations, & More
      How to
      Be Sexually Attractive: What to Do, What to Say, and More
      Is He in Lust or in Love? 15 Ways to Tell the Difference
      Does This Guy Want Me Sexually? Look Out for These Telltale Signs:
      What Does an Upside-Down Pineapple Mean?
      Unmistakable Signs He Doesn't Want You Sexually (& How to Deal with It)
      How to
      Tell if a Guy Views You as Someone Special
      130 Best Pick-Up Lines to Use on Guys for Flirting
      How to
      Set Up a Romantic Bedroom for Him
      What Peacocking Means & How Women Do It
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about dating, check out our in-depth interview with LeTisha Underwood .

      References

      1. ↑ https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2023/01/18/benefits-of-hugging-for-mental-health/
      2. ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_ways_hugs_are_good_for_your_health
      3. ↑ https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2023/01/18/benefits-of-hugging-for-mental-health/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 19,579 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement