Hugging Someone Actually Makes You Happier and Healthier, Study Says A hug a day keeps the doctor away! A new study wanted to see if hugs have a positive impact on well-being and relationships. They found out that getting a hug did, infact, have a significant effect on mood: It made for a smaller decrease in positivefeelings, and a smaller increase in negativefeelings for every person in the study. Whether the person was single, married,in a relationship, identified as male or female,of any age and race—hugs seemed to help. Hugs act as a sort of arm-basedbuffer against bad vibes. So, give hugs! They’re good for you.