A hug is one of the most common ways to show affection to those we love, but did you know that it has its own day of celebration? That’s right! National Hugging Day is just around the corner; here’s everything you need to know about this special day so you can celebrate it properly.
What is National Hugging Day?
This day was established by Kevin Zaborney, a Christian pastor, and it is celebrated on January 21. Its purpose is to simply remind us of the importance of human connection through a warm hug. The day encourages us to share a hug, not only as a physical gesture, but also as a way to convey love and compassion to others.
Why is National Hugging Day celebrated?
National Hugging Day was an idea of Americans Kevin Zaborney and Adam Olis in 1986, in Michigan. Zaborney wanted to encourage the practice of hugging, as he believed that American society finds it uncomfortable to express emotions in public.
The main goal of this day is to encourage people to hug their loved ones, similar to what happens during holidays like Christmas or New Year’s. There is no need for a grand celebration to convey love with a simple hug.
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Is National Hugging Day a holiday?
No. Although this date is officially recognized by the U.S. Copyright Office, it is not considered a public holiday.
How to celebrate National Hugging Day?
There are several ways to celebrate this day. Here are a few:
- Hug someone with all your heart.
- If you need a hug, don’t hesitate to ask for one.
- Let someone know how much you care by sending them words full of love and encouragement.
- Make your special person’s day brighter by expressing how valuable they are to you with a verbal hug until you can give them a physical one in person.
Benefits of hugging
Hugs trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone that has great health benefits. In addition to generating feelings of well-being, oxytocin also helps reduce pain. Hugging someone can decrease stress, lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, and strengthen the immune system. It’s also effective in relieving anxiety.
What does a hug mean?
A hug is a way to express friendship, affection, love, fraternity, or sympathy. By wrapping your arms around someone, you are offering them a refuge, a place of support and comfort.
What are the different types of hugs?
- The intimate hug: This type of hug involves wrapping your arms around the other person, with your heads leaning against each other. It’s a gesture that should be limited to people who are close to you. If eye contact is made, it could suggest a more intimate or sexual connection.
- The fraternal or friendship hug: This is a lighter hug, without head contact, often accompanied by pats on the back. According to psychologists, it’s a way to strengthen bonds when there isn’t yet a lot of trust between people.
- The side hug: This involves placing your arm around the other person’s shoulders, showing support and companionship. This type of hug is also observed in primates, who use it to console each other.
- The bear hug: This is a strong and energetic hug, with no affectionate intent, but rather to demonstrate physical superiority or dominance over the other person.
How many hugs do we need?
According to the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International in Japan, adults need four hugs throughout the day, while children need a minimum of 12.
