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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Linda Geddes

‘Five to ten seconds appears to be optimal’: the science behind hugs

Back of woman who is hugging herself
Research suggests that giving yourself a hug can have similar benefits to hugging someone. Photograph: Aaron Amat/Alamy

Be it a brief squeeze or a bone-crushing bear hug, few can deny the comfort of a farewell cuddle from a person you love. Yet in an effort to keep traffic flowing at Dunedin international airport on New Zealand’s South Island, bosses have decided to impose a three-minute cap on hugging in the airport’s drop-off zone.

Passengers wishing to engage in longer and fonder farewells have been instructed to use the car park instead.

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