Jan 20

Jan 20 National Hugging Day

Article, Communication, Depression and Anxiety, Mental Health, General Health, Relationships, Self-Care, Wellbeing

Everyone can use a hug sometime or another. Maybe you had a bad day. Maybe work is getting a little too hectic. Maybe your team lost the big game. No matter what the reason, it doesn’t matter on January 21st! Known as National Hugging Day, this marks the 33rd time this message of affection has spread around the globe. However, did you know that hugging someone, or even just the act of a simple, affectionate touch can have developmental, mental and physical health benefits for not only you but the other person as well?

Physical, affectionate touch is important to us as humans, especially when it comes to communicating our emotions and maintaining relationships of any kind.
Research has shown that touch is crucial for the development of young children and even animals. The lack of affection can result in them having a hard time interacting socially.
Touch can activate the area of your brain that is associated with learning and decision-making. This can help you, even as an adult, learn better emotional and social behaviors.
A simple, affectionate touch can help relieve pain and ease someone in distress thanks to the release of oxytocin – a ‘feel good’ chemical in your brain. Studies have even shown that individuals who are sick showed less severe symptoms when they are given emotional support in the form of physical touch, such as a hug!
Affectionate touching, such as a hug, can make you more emotionally connected to the other person, thus potentially strengthening your relationship.

So go celebrate National Hugging Day by hugging those you care about and show them how much they mean to you. It just might be what they needed today.