The Power of Hugs: January 21st is National Hugging Day
by Harjeev Sudan
Photo by Marco Bianchetti on Unsplash
(Most) people love hugs. And, every year on January 21st, the world has an opportunity to hug one other a little more, thanks to National Hugging Day. The day was started by Rev. Kevin Zaborney, a pastor in Clio, Michigan, in 1986. Zaborney thought of the idea while studying psychology at the University of Michigan. He said he realized "there was no such day to observe the very important act of hugging one another." To his surprise, after its launch, it immediately went global.
Have you ever wondered why humans love and crave hugs? Here are a few positive outcomes of hugging on health and wellbeing:
Warmth and comfort. It feels good! The act of hugging releases feel-good hormones like oxytocin and dopamine.
Immunity-boosting. A study found that hugging decreased the chances of illness when exposed to respiratory viruses… and, if you did get sick, symptoms were milder!
Mental wellness. Hugging reduces stress and helps to fight depression and anxiety by releasing the antidepressant hormone serotonin.
Confidence. Hugging increases self-esteem by not only making us feel loved, but also giving us a nudge towards loving ourselves.
Relaxation. Who needs a massage when you can give and receive a hug? Hugging releases tension in muscles.
Heart health. Hugging lowers blood pressure and heart rate, promoting heart health.
So, go ahead, experience a hug (with consent and with covid safety in mind, of course!). And holding a hug for 5 seconds works even better! And there are options for who or what you hug….a dog, a child, a friend, a stuffed animal!
Visit healthline.com for even more reasons to add (more) hugs to your daily life.