MEN who hug a lot are happier, healthier, slimmer and richer than men who don’t, according to a new survey.
The Happily Healthy Quotient Test surveyed almost 60,000 Australians and found that men who like a hug are significantly healthier and happier than men who don’t.
The results show a correlation that high earners are huge man huggers and men who hug have more friends.
The test is part of the Nestlé Happily Healthy Project that was developed in conjunction with Dr Anthony Grant, coaching psychologist at Sydney University and Galaxy Research.
The test is part of the Nestlé Happily Healthy Project that was developed in conjunction with Dr Anthony Grant, coaching psychologist at Sydney University and Galaxy Research.
When comparing Australian males’ HHQ score, those who do a fair bit of hugging scored above the national male average with a score of 63.9; those who rarely hug scored well below the national average with a score of 54.9 (the national average is 60.4).
While 37 per cent of Australian men surveyed say they love to hug considerably, 29 per cent say they don’t hug much or rarely at all.
Dr Grant says men who hug are generally more socially interactive than those who don’t. The survey revealed 31 per cent of those who don’t hug as much felt lonely, compared with 16 per cent of those who enjoy the closeness that a hug brings. Nearly 75 per cent of men who hugged their friends and loved ones regularly, felt connected to people around them.
Only 17 per cent of men who aren’t married say they hug regularly. In comparison, almost half (49 per cent) of those men surveyed in defacto relationships have revealed they hug the most in Australia.
Close behind are married men (44 per cent surveyed) who say they love to hug and hug a lot.
The survey results indicated that men in families with younger children are particularly cuddly, with 70 per cent of those with children under 5 years and 61 per cent of those with children aged between 5 and 11 years cuddling a fair bit or a lot. In contrast, only 41 per cent of men in families with kids aged between 12 and 17 indicate that the family cuddles a fair bit.
“Science tells us that touch is a very important influence on both physical and mental well-being. Touch has been proved to lower blood pressure and heart rates, increase immune function and help with pain management. Hugs release oxytocin, a hormone which makes people feel secure and brings down cortisol levels thereby reducing stress, anxiety and loneliness”, says Dr Grant.
To take part in the Nestlé Happily Healthy Project, visit happily-healthy.com.au
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