What I missed most in College (apart from my Friends & Family)

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 Hello hello and Happy New Year everyone!

It's been a while since I wrote a blog (about 4 months), which is around the same time when I left for college. 
Getting ready to leave meant mentally accepting that I'd miss out on some of Mumbai's delicious foods, comfort, and weather for a while. What I did not anticipate was missing one of the most basic human needs: a hug. 

We can all agree that hugging someone you've grown up with and really love, wraps you in a comforting blanket of warm embrace. It makes you feel wanted and loved. It makes you feel happy.

And when you're surrounded by unfamiliar faces, it takes a while to find "your people" and accept that warmth.  

As children, we instinctively understood the language of hugs. Think back to the hugs we shared with our parents before heading off to school, or a friend if they hurt themselves running in those corridors: these moments weren’t merely routine; they were succinct expressions of love and security. But as we grew older, something changed. Somewhere along the way, many of us moved away from this simple yet powerful way of showing affection and offering reassurance. 

Yet as humans, our need for hugs never declined. 
Science says "We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth."

8 hugs - if lucky - is probably the maximum a college student gets for a whole semester.

Research has shown that hugging (with consent) can release oxytocin—the happy hormone— to help reduce stress. When academic deadlines loom large, or exams feel overwhelming, a simple hug can help melt away tension, even if momentarily. 

Nothing will ever compare to the feeling of running out the airport doors and hugging my family at 5 in the morning. 

Hugs are about connections and crafting a relationship where you feel seen and supported. Whether it’s through physical gestures, kind words, or thoughtful actions, what matters most is the intention behind them.

College life is hectic and challenging. A simple hug—or its equivalent—has the power to remind someone they’re not alone in this journey. So, the next time a friend looks like they could use a boost, maybe consider offering a hug or finding another way to let them know you care. It’s the little things that often make the biggest difference.

That was it for today's blog! I hope you enjoyed reading it :) For more content every 2nd Friday of the month, please share, follow and subscribe!

Signing off,
Kuhu :)

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