All hugs have different meanings. And there are all kinds of hugs. How do we decode what each hug means then? What does it mean when a guy hugs you with both arms? Or when he hugs you for longer than 5 seconds? Or from behind? This article answers these questions so that you don’t have to look elsewhere. Read on to find 9 possible inferences as to when a guy hugs you with both arms.
What Does It Mean When A Guy Hugs You With Both Arms? 9 Possible Inferences
Researchers believe that hugs and physical touch help deactivate the part of the brain that responds to danger and stress. Hugs tend to trigger the hormone ‘oxytocin’ (also called the ‘cuddle chemical’) in humans which makes people feel safer and cared for. However, men are traditionally emotionally closed creatures. They are notorious for not communicating how they feel, thereby creating mixed signals and communication problems in relationships, especially regarding physical affection. Therefore, there can be many reasons for situations when a guy hugs you with both arms. While a guy won’t exactly come out and tell you what he feels for you, his hugs will. You’ve come to the right place if you’ve ever caught yourself asking such questions: Why do guys hug from the waist? What does it mean when a guy holds my head while hugging me? What do you make of it if a guy initiates a hug goodbye? We have compiled a list of the 9 most popular meanings behind a guy’s hug. Here are the different scenarios:
1. A hug for when he considers you a good friend
Guys who are looking for attention will always wait for girls to make the first move. They don’t want to get attached and would just focus on the spotlight treatment you give them. However, when a guy opens his arms to hug you and wraps you up in them without prior intimation, it’s because he considers you a close friend. “Paul has always been the hugger in our friendship,” shares Barbara, a reader from Texas. “He wraps me up in a bear hug whenever we meet. I used to wonder what it means when a guy hugs you with both arms, but now I know that he does it because it feels natural. It feels safe. It feels like home.”
2. A hug for when he misses you
While guys can be confusing, their actions even more so, the one type of hug that’s not as difficult as the rest to decipher is when a guy draws you close to him and squeezes you with both arms. This kind of hug is not just intimate but also powerful. This gesture indicates that he likes you a lot and missed you a lot while you were away. He enjoys wrapping his arms around you to feel intimate and close to you. Additionally, if he does it while also closing his eyes, it suggests that the man wants the experience to last as long as it can.
3. A hug for when he is in love with you
When a guy hugs you with both arms from behind, that’s not just any casual, platonic hug. In the words of my friend, “It’s a cute little hug/pull, kind of like a standing cuddle. It is very cute and calms both the people down.” Unless he genuinely cares about you, you won’t often get a back hug from him. Close but platonic friends won’t cover you with a hug. So when a guy holds you in such a way that you can’t help but feel secure and shielded, it could be because he wants a romantic connection with you and has intense feelings for you.
4. A hug for when he needs comfort
Usually, when a guy hugs you with both arms, it means you are a source of comfort for him. A long hug, typically one that lasts for 5 seconds or longer, is a sign that he either has feelings for you or he really loves hugging you. When a guy hugs you for more than 5 seconds, it is an indication that he is looking for comfort and you’re the one he trusts the most to provide it to him. Alex, a 26-year-old writer, shares, “I love hugging my boyfriend. He is such a source of relaxation for me and I feel centered every time I hug him, even from back when we were just friends. It was much later that Conrad told me that he loves the hugs as much as I do because they are a comfort for him too!”
5. When a guy holds your head while hugging you – A hug to calm you down
Hugs, in general, are very calming. They offer a modicum of emotional support that very few things can. And in instances where you’re looking for this kind of support, if a guy holds your head while hugging, it feels extremely safe and comforting. Usually, it is to offer a sense of calmness, to help ground you, and make you feel steady. Guys perceive this action as intimate and protective and would do it to make their girlfriends feel special, safe and cherished.
6. A hug for when he truly loves and understands you
A guy hugging you with both arms and rubbing your back is a warm gesture that indicates that your guy cares deeply about you. It’s a significant form of affection and intimacy. The back is a very vulnerable part of the body since you can’t see it and having someone touch it can be startling. When a guy hugs you with both arms and rubs your back, he wants to love and protect you by offering you physical comfort. If your guy friend hugs you with both arms and rubs your back, he might like you romantically and probably wants to be with you. But if you feel something’s wrong and he’s doing this to seek comfort, then give him a lot of TLC and ask him if everything is well.
7. A hug for declaring his attraction toward you
Why do guys hug from the waist? This question bothers a lot of people, especially when the guy is someone they like but aren’t sure if he likes them back. So what does it mean when a guy hugs you with both arms around the waist? This type of hug is the surest sign of attraction there can be. Hugging you around the waist and pulling you in is an indication that he wants you, romantically or sexually (or even both!) This hug is a gesture of romantic affection and feels amazing, especially from a guy you like. If you’re in a relationship already and the guy hugs you around the waist, it is an indication that you are more than just a ‘casual relationship’ to him and he wants to be committed to you.
8. A hug to reconcile after a fight
It’s crucial to pay attention to the type of hug a guy gives you if you’re unsure of what it represents. Typically, when a guy hugs you with both arms and rests his head on top of yours, both of you tend to relax into each other. If he is taller than you, resting his head on top of yours is a sign that he likes the comfort you both provide to each other. This is one of the most well-liked and reassuring forms of boyfriend hugs. It melts away the conflict. It lets you know he cares about you and has your back in any situation you both face. Additionally, when a guy friend hugs you with both arms and rests his head on top of your head, it could be a sign that he is falling in love with you.
9. A hug for when he doesn’t want to say goodbye
Goodbye hugs, at least in my opinion, are one of the saddest things ever to exist. No one wants to say goodbye, especially when you’re with someone you genuinely enjoy spending time with. If a guy initiates a hug goodbye, whether a partner or a friend, especially after you have been hanging out for a while, it means that he actually loved that time with you. The hug is a sign that he wants some affectionate, physical touch before parting ways. On top of that, if he squeezes you while hugging you with both arms, he is probably in the same boat as you and doesn’t want to say goodbye either! While there can be unlimited meanings to hugs, these 9 instances cover a majority of them. When a guy hugs you with both arms, it is usually an indication that he feels a lot of love and affection for you, romantic or otherwise, and he wants to make sure that you’re safe and sound. He doesn’t want you to be uncomfortable and in a bad mood, and hugs are the best way to raise someone’s spirits. Besides, the best part about hugs is you usually can’t give one without getting one. Don’t you agree?
