National Hug Day or National Hugging Day occurs on January 21 and is officially recognized by the United States Copyright Office, but is not a public holiday. The purpose of the day is to help everyone show more emotion in public. There is only one way you are supposed to celebrate the holiday, offer a hug to anyone and everyone you want. While National Hug Day and the Free Hugs Campaign share many similarities, there is not an association between the two. Whether you hug a family member or a stranger, the mental and physical health benefits are the same.
The holiday was founded by Rev. Kevin Zaborney on March 29, 1986, in Caro, Michigan. The holiday was created because Zaborney felt that Americans were too embarrassed to show feelings in public, and hoped that National Hug Day would change this. The day is officially recognized by the United States Copyright Office, although it is not a public holiday.
- The 21st of January was chosen because it is the midpoint between
Christmas and Valentine’s Day. - Α full-body hug stimulates your nervous system while decreasing feelings of loneliness, combating fear, increasing self-esteem, defusing tension, and showing appreciation.
- Even a 10-second hug can improve your health. Results of the study “Meanings of hugging” from Lena Forsell and Jan Åström identified several impacts a 10-second hug can have to your health:
- Lower risk of heart disease
- Fight infections
- Stress reduction
- Fight fatigue
- Boost your immune system
- Ease depression
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