#NationalHugDay
After Blue Monday, today, 21 January 2025, is the National Hug Day.
A hug, what a simple gesture and how powerful it is!
It is true that some people love hugs and could be hugging or being hugged all day long…and some others prefer not to have that physical contact that often… Both sides are common, depending on each person’s Sensory profile.
But it is also true that… a hug can produce changes in our bodies that bring us instant well-being through emotional comfort, coregulation, connection with the other, and the feeling of safety.
A hug can stimulate the release of hormones and substances in our bodies that are beneficial for our health, as well as reduce the release of others that influence us negatively.
Oxytocin is often called “the love hormone” or “the cuddle hormone”, as a hug can easily stimulate the release of this hormone and help us to cope with adverse moments.
C Sue Carter et al. mentions that oxytocin can function as a stress-coping molecule, an anti-inflammatory, and an antioxidant, with protective effects, especially in the face of adversity or trauma. It also influences the autonomic nervous system and the immune system by reducing the effects of stress and anxiety.
So, a hug also helps reduce cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for stress response. Hugging activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System, part of the Autonomic Nervous System that allows us to regulate and recover after a stressful event.
The physical act of giving a hug also supports creating bonds.
Oxytocin is also widely recognized for its role in social bonding. It has been implicated not only in caregiving/early parental relationships but also beyond this developmental stage to include social relationships across the lifespan (Julianne Holt-Lunstad et al.).
The sense of touch is directly involved with the creation of human bonds. As today is Hug Day, this post talks mainly about hugs, but the simple gesture of giving a hand or just touching the person—slightly or deep pressure, whatever the person needs in a specific moment to feel better—can also be highly beneficial.
All these body changes that a hug can bring with have results of contentment, calm, regulation, safety and emotional comfort.
With all these benefits for our health and well-being, let’s celebrate National Hug Day.
Let’s be aware of how social interactions and human connection can promote health, how important face-to-face time with our loved ones is, and the importance of touch in these technological times.
References:
Carter CS, Kenkel WM, MacLean EL, Wilson SR, Perkeybile AM, Yee JR, Ferris CF, Nazarloo HP, Porges SW, Davis JM, Connelly JJ, Kingsbury MA. Is Oxytocin “Nature’s Medicine”? Pharmacol Rev. 2020 Oct;72(4):829-861. doi: 10.1124/pr.120.019398. PMID: 32912963; PMCID: PMC7495339.
Holt-Lunstad J, Ditzen B, Light KC. Oxytocin, social relationships, and health: An introduction to the special issue. Int J Psychophysiol. 2019 Feb;136:1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2018.12.008. Epub 2019 Jan 14. PMID: 30653995.
Eckstein M, Mamaev I, Ditzen B, Sailer U. Calming Effects of Touch in Human, Animal, and Robotic Interaction-Scientific State-of-the-Art and Technical Advances. Front Psychiatry. 2020 Nov 4;11:555058. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.555058. PMID: 33329093; PMCID: PMC7672023.