National Hug Day Follows the Presidential Inauguration

The idea behind National Hug Day is simply to give a hug to anybody who will accept one. Any and all styles are accepted. The “bro” hug where you maintain some distance and provide a nice open-handed pat on the back; the “cuddle” where you draw that special person close and essentially cuddle up; or of course the “crazed sorority” hug which involves much screeching and jumping; the idea is to show a little love and support for the world at large.

According to Holiday Insights, “National Hugging Day was created in 1986 by Rev. Kevin Zaborney from Caro, Michigan.” Zaborney created the day to promote “the emotional benefits of hugging”. Since its inception the holiday has surpassed the borders of the nation and incidents of “Hug Day” cheer have been reported from countries as far away as: Australia, Canada, England, Germany and Russia.

Reviews for National Hug Day and the beneficial nature of hugs have come in from all sectors:

"For human beings, you need two hugs a day to survive, four hugs for maintenance, six hugs to grow." Virginia Satir, a Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapist.

"National Hugging Day is a different form of sharing. We've got more than our quota of whiners and far too few huggers these days. Most of us have a little person inside who needs human contact in this stainless steel, computerized society where we are kept at arms length. Consider hugging as non-sexual, like a handshake or a high-five. Such personal contact makes you feel good. A good hug warms relationships between people. That's what National Hugging Day is all about. We're not talking sex here. Part of the problem huggers face is this guarded age where hugs are easily misinterpreted and subject to a leering look or a lawsuit. A hug has a universal meaning of support, concern or just a way of saying, "I'm here."
Chris Thompson, Saginaw News (MI) News Columnist

"If somebody hugs you, you know you must be there or they'll go through you." Leo Buscaglia, Ph.D., and former author, educator and lecturer on the art of loving

As for the National in the title; it’s an honorific that usually requires an act of congress but I’m sure we can let it slide this time around. Happy Hug Day everyone.

By: Alberto Ramos Cordero

For more information log onto National Hug Day