Boyle, of Norfolk, and fellow SAC members gave free hugs and high fives to people across the Norfolk campus in order to build a culture where everyone feels welcomed and connected. Carissa Kollath, director of student activities, said, “We pledged to do 300 hugs and high fives this year, but we ended up killing it and collected 1,114.” Kollath said research shows it takes six seconds for dopamine to react in one’s brain in order for a hug to send its proper message and improve a person’s mood. “So why not try it,” she said.
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