Studies have shown that life's passionate colors are more vivid when you give... and receive hugs. Go for the gusto. The stronger the hug, the more vivid the colors.

All the experts agree:

"Give hugs generously. Receive them gratefully," advised motivational speaker and writer Marvin Phillips. Hugging generates oxytocin, a "nesting" hormone than may lower stress and protect the heart.

"A hug is the perfect gift--one size fits all, and nobody minds if you exchange it," added hugging enthusiast Ivern Ball.

And as pioneering family therapist Virginia Satir advised: "We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth."

Hugs are mighty fine things. They express warm feelings, encourage, and heal. Poof: they're magical. AND you can make quite a difference when you transform a 10 second hug into a 60 second one.

Just find someone to hug, then give that person a heartfelt squeeze. Hold on. And when you're pau (done), make eye contact, and say something nice and sincere like: "You are so terrific." Or: "I'm so glad I could hug you."

As the legendary actor John Wayne once said: "I am a demonstrative man, a baby picker-upper, a hugger and a kisser-- that's my nature."

If the Duke could do it, we can,too...

(((Hugs))). Now go hug somebody else.