What Does It Mean When A Guy Hugs You With Both Arms? 11 Possible Inferences

Last week, a friend asked me, “What does it mean when a guy hugs you with both arms?” That got me thinking about the meaning behind man hugs. There’s something so warm and reassuring about a man hugging you. And there can be different types of hugs that can convey a lot of different things. When I am feeling low, I love it when my partner wraps me up in his strong arms and holds me tight. His hands on my back feel so comforting and make me feel special.

All hugs are special. But how do we decode what each hug means? For instance, what does it mean when a guy squeezes you in a hug? 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. So, read on…

What Does It Mean When A Guy Hugs You With Both Arms? 11 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 why men hug, and it may not be that simple. 

Talk to a dating coach and they will tell you that men hug as a form of communication. 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 questions such as: “Why do guys hug from the waist?”, “What does it mean when a guy holds my head while hugging me?”, or “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. Men hug when they consider 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, if a man hugs you all of a sudden, it could be because he considers you a close friend. 

Barbara, a reader from Texas, talks about her friend, Paul: “Paul has always been the hugger in our friendship. With him, I realized the true meaning of a bear hug. He wraps me up in his arms whenever we meet. Earlier, I used to wonder, “What does it mean when a guy hugs me?”, but now I know that he does it because it feels natural. It makes me feel safe.”

Now, I am totally fine with a male friend hugging me. A Reddit user agrees, “Generally hugs are considered friendly. Yes, some touching may be trying to lead to something more, but it’s doubtful a friendly hug would indicate this.”

Related Reading: 12 Signs That Say Your Best Friend Is In Love With You

2. A hug for when he misses you

While guys can be confusing, the one type of hug that’s not too difficult to decipher is when a guy draws you close to him and squeezes you with both arms. A man hugging you this way is not just intimate but also powerful. This gesture indicates that he likes you a lot and has missed you a lot while you were away. 

He may get touchy-feely because he enjoys wrapping his arms around you to feel intimate and close to you. Additionally, if a man closes his eyes while hugging you, it suggests that he’s relishing it and 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 usually just any casual, platonic hug. My friend Cathy says: “It’s a cute little hug/pull, kind of like a standing cuddle. It calms both of us down.” Unless he genuinely cares about you, you won’t often get a back hug from him.

You see, close friends won’t give you an intimate hug. They may give you a ‘one-arm hug’ as a sign of affection. 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, a man hugging you means you are a source of comfort for him. When a guy hugs you for more than 5 seconds:

• It is a clear sign that he either has feelings for you and he really loves hugging you
• It could be 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, Conrad. He is such a source of relaxation for me and I feel centered every time I hug him. This has been the same since the time 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 source of comfort for him too!”

Related Reading: 11 Texting Habits That He Is Interested In You – With Examples

5. When a guy holds your head while hugging you – A hug to calm you down

Man hugs, in general, are very calming. This is especially true when a guy hugs you with both arms. They offer a sort of emotional support that very few things can. And when a guy holds your head while hugging, it feels extremely safe and comforting. Usually, it is to offer a sense of calmness, that helps ground you and makes 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 shows physical touch language and expresses that your guy cares deeply about you. It’s a significant form of affection and intimacy. The back, especially the lower back, is a very vulnerable part of the body since you can’t see it, and having someone touch it can be startling. To me, a man hugging me and rubbing my back shows he wants to love and protect me by offering that physical comfort.

If your guy 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 there’s something wrong with him and he’s doing this to seek comfort, then you must give him a lot of TLC and ask him if everything is well.

Related Reading: 10 cute things a man will do once he is really comfortable with you

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 they aren’t sure if he likes them back. A man hugging this way is the surest sign of romantic interest. 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. There’s something undeniably sexy about a man hugging me around the waist. When he draws me in closer to him, I feel the power of the intimate hug. I feel so comfortable in the tight hug. It has the ability to make a difficult time so much easier.

8. A hug to reconcile after a fight

Men hug to cool you down or even as an apology. 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. 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 man hugs. It melts away any conflict. The tight hug 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.

Related Reading: 10 Signs You Have An Emotional Connection With Someone

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. No one wants to say goodbye, especially when you’re with someone you genuinely enjoy spending time with. 

If a guy initiates a goodbye hug, whether he’s a partner or a friend, especially after you have been hanging out for a while, it means that he actually loved spending time with you. It’s his way of showing love without saying it. 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 are and doesn’t want to say goodbye either!

10. A hug that shows affection

You may often ask yourself, “What does it mean when a guy squeezes you in a hug?” This physical contact may indicate strong feelings or some sort of deep affection toward you. But detecting the true meaning behind it requires you to look at the intensity of the hug and the person who is hugging. Here are some instances:

• A loved one giving you a tight squeeze may communicate protection or love
• Someone who secretly loves you may be trying to create an emotional bond or show a deeper connection with the friendly gesture

There’s also something very welcoming when a guy opens his arms to hug you. Being engulfed in a warm hug brings out the true meaning of a bear hug.

Related Reading: 20 Signs He Is Not Into You – Don’t Waste Your Time!

11. A hug that communicates different things

What does it mean when a guy hugs you multiple times? Well, this may be the hardest hug to decipher, as it could convey so many things. The hug may be due to excitement, fondness, a romantic interest, or deep affection. Or he could be trying to establish an emotional intimacy through his body language.

So, to truly answer the question “What does it mean when a guy hugs you multiple times?”, consider the specific circumstance when he hugs you. For instance:

• If he’s just been promoted, it could simply convey his excitement
• If he hasn’t seen you in over a decade, it could be a show of deep affection and joy at seeing you

A Reddit user says, “…the type of hug depends on the situation. “If I’m giving comfort or getting it. If I’m comforting you, I’ll hug you over the shoulders, so I’m holding you. If I need comfort, I want you to hug me over the shoulders, so you’re holding me.”

While there can be unlimited meanings to hugs, these 11 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 or in a bad mood, and hugs are the best way to raise someone’s spirits. The meaning of a bear hug is basically protection. And, the best part about hugs is that you usually can’t give one without getting one. Don’t you agree? So, go ahead and hug that special person and make him feel loved too.

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