Today is Share a Hug Day!

 

While every day is a day to hug those you love, in my opinion, today is a day to especially focus on hugging others, "to encourage people to show affection to each other."

Daysoftheyear.com says, "There’s something amazing about a hug which just makes the day so much better. Maybe it’s the warmth of someone you care about being close to you, maybe it’s the feeling of security and solidarity which happens when you’re surrounded by the arms of others, maybe it’s the fact you can’t give one without getting one back. Whatever it is, there’s never a bad time to share a hug with someone who’s willing to give or receive one. Share a Hug Day is your opportunity to politely offer someone else a hug when they look like they’re feeling down!" Hugs are SO beneficial - let's learn a few more things about hugs - did you know . . .

• The word ‘hug’ is thought to come from the Old Norse word ‘hugga’, which means “to comfort”.
• Other scholars speculate the word may have originated from the German word ‘hegen’ which roughly translates to ‘cherish’ or ‘foster’. 
• Babies, who know nothing about the outside world, reach out to their mothers/fathers for a dose of love and comfort. In fact, if babies do not receive regular cuddles and hugs from their parents, their relationship tends to take a beating.
• Having daily hugs is a necessary way to maintain relationships. 
• Hugs also release the happy hormone called oxytocin, reducing cortisol, which is the stress hormone. 
• Hugging has tons of benefits, and some of them include reducing stress and blood pressure levels whilst boosting our immune systems and improving our mental health. 
• In 2018 Researchers at Mulawarman University in Indonesia discover hug therapy helps adolescents suffering from depression.
• There are several different types of hugs, so they are not limited to just three. However, the three most common types of hugs could be the side hug, front hug, and hugging from behind. 
• Yes, hugging can help increase your immunity and help you fight against viral/bacterial ailments.

You will find more about hugs at this link - so take time today to hug those you love - if they live far, send a virtual hug! And, if your grands are near, grab large sheets of paper, crayons, get together with your grands, have them lie down on the paper, then trace around their arms - make your own paper hugs! 

Happy, Let's Hug Day!