National Hugging Day

Group of diverse individuals engaged in a heartwarming group hug, with cozy sweaters, urban park setting, expressing the joy of National Hugging Day.. — National hugging day illustration, AI generated

Throw off your chains of reserved stoicism, my friends! There's a day that celebrates the simple, warm, and oh-so-human act of hugging, and it's called - you guessed it - National Hugging Day. It's all about breaking down barriers and giving out some fluffy, no-strings-attached hugs. Yes, we are talking about the whole nine yards of hugging here, just without turning it into a rugby tackle gone wrong!

When is Hugging Day?

It's national hugging day on the 21st January.

A Brief Squeeze of History

Before we get into the loving embrace of National Hugging Day, we need to squeeze out some history. National Hugging Day popped onto the scene in 1986. It was created by Kevin Zaborney, a man who deserves his own historical monument for making hugging a national pastime. He chose January 21st because it fell between the Christmas holidays and Valentine's Day, when he noticed people were foundering in a sea of mid-winter jadedness.

Hugging: The Honey of Human Touch

Here's a fun fact. Did you know hugging can actually improve your health? You'd be amazed what a pair of cuddling arms can do. Hugging is an excellent stress-buster, it lowers your heart rate, makes you happier, and even strengthens the immune system. So, if you find yourself wavering on whether to celebrate this day, consider this your doctor's prescription.

Embrace the Tradition!

Now, in case you're nervous, let's review the hugging protocol. Firstly, always respect personal boundaries. Not everyone may be ready for a full-blown bear hug at 8 in the morning. Post your hugs, real and virtual, on social media with the hashtag #NationalHuggingDay. It's a beautiful way of sending out feels, especially to those who could really do with a hug.

Hugging Day 2021: A Virtual Hug

The year 2021 saw the most mentions of National Hugging Day on the internet. Thanks to social distancing rules, traditional hugging had to take a backseat. But did we stop? Nah. We switched to virtual hugging, showing that no matter what the obstacle, the human spirit (and the desire to hug) cannot be quashed!

Did you know?

Did you know during the 2021 pandemic, a product named 'cuddle curtain' got popularity? It was a plastic curtain with two plastic sleeves made for loved ones to cuddle without risking any health hazards.