On January 21st it is Internal Hugging Day. There is actually such a thing, the idea of National Hugging Day belongs to Kevin Zaborney, who introduced this holiday on January 21, 1986 in Clio, Michigan, USA. Zaborney was promoting that we hug as many people as possible - friends, family and even complete strangers.
What does hugging mean to you? Do you even like hugging? But before we go around liberally sharing our hugs out, it’s important to remember that hugging is not for everyone.
We hug when we are excited, happy or sad, it’s fair to say that we find it comforting, reassuring, makes us feel safe and loved, makes us feel validated.
What do the scientists say?
Research tells us that giving and receiving a hug has health, both emotional and physical, benefits, that goes to be a good thing surely?
When we hug, touch, or sit close to someone else, the body releases a hormone called oxytocin, sometimes referred to as the “cuddle hormone.” It can even reduce the stress of the person doing the comforting.
Oxytocin is associated with happiness, a reduction in blood pressure and the reduction of the stress hormone norepinephrine. Scientists have found that this hormone has a strong effect in women. One study found that the positive benefits of oxytocin were strongest in women who had better relationships and more frequent hugs with their romantic partner. Women also saw positive effects of oxytocin when they held their infants closely.
Hugs may protect you against illness, researchers found that hugging may reduce the chances of a person becoming unwell. A study showed that those of us with a greater support system are less likely to become unwell, and if we do become unwell, we are less poorly. More good news on health, holding hands with a loved one for 10 minutes, followed up with a hug, may well increase our heart health.
Hugging brings comfort, reassurance, nurturing, reduces anxiety and improve self esteem. Hugs convey sympathy and compassion. One study suggested that hugging may even reduce pain.
Remember we don’t always need (or want) human hugs, unconditional hugs from our pets are emotionally heartwarming. And not to forget the teddy bear, very experienced in giving no questions asked cuddles.
So the way forward? If you want to feel better about yourself, reduce your stress, improve communication, and be happier and healthier, it seems that giving and asking for more hugs is a good place to start.