National Hugging Day 🤗 January 21

National Hugging Day is an annual event dedicated to hugging. It was created by Kevin Zaborney and occurs annually on January 21. The day was first celebrated on January 21, 1986 in Clio, Michigan, USA. The holiday is also observed in many other countries. The idea of National Hug Day is to encourage everyone to hug family and friends more often.  Zaborney cautions to ask first if one is unsure of the response.

History

Kevin Zaborney is credited with coming up with the idea of National Hugging Day in 1986. It was included in Chase's Calendar of Events; Zaborney's friend at the time was the granddaughter of the proprietors of the publication. He chose January 21 as it fell between the Christmas and New Year's Holidays and Valentine's Day and birthdays when he found people are generally in low spirits. Zaborney considered that "American society is embarrassed to show feelings in public" and hoped that a National Hugging Day would change that, although he thought that his idea would fail.

^{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Hugging_Day}

Verb:

Squeeze (someone) tightly in one's arms, typically to express affection. "he hugged her close to him"

Synonyms: 

Embrace, cuddle, squeeze, clasp, clutch, cradle, cling to, hold close, hold tight, take/fold someone in one's arms, clasp someone to one's bosom "they hugged each other"

Noun:
An act of holding someone tightly in one's arms, typically to express affection.

A hug is a form of physical intimacy, universal in human communities, in which two or more people put their arms around the neck, back, or waist of one another and hold each other closely. If more than two persons are involved, this is informally referred to as a group hug.

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Etymology

The origins of the word are unknown but two theories exist. The first is that the verb "hug" (first used in the 1560s) could be related to the Old Norse word hugga, which meant to comfort. The second theory is that the word is related to the German word hegen which means to foster or cherish, and originally meant to enclose with a hedge.

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Characteristics
A Hug can be a Sign of Joy or Happiness
A hug, sometimes in association with a kiss, is a form of nonverbal communication. Depending on culture, context and relationship, a hug can indicate familiarity, love, affection, friendship, brotherhood or sympathy. A hug can indicate support, comfort, and consolation, particularly where words are insufficient. A hug usually demonstrates affection and emotional warmth, sometimes arising from joy or happiness when reunited with someone or seeing someone absent after a long time. A non-reciprocal hug may demonstrate a relational problem. A hug can range from a brief one second squeeze, with the arms not fully around the partner, to an extended holding. The length of a hug in any situation is socially and culturally determined. In the case of lovers, and occasionally others, the hips may also be pressed together.

Unlike some other types of physical contact, a hug can be practiced publicly and privately without stigma in many countries, religions and cultures, within families, and also across age and gender lines, but is generally an indication that people are familiar with each other. Moving from a handshake (or touch-free) relationship to a hug relationship is a sign of a closer friendship such as best friends.

A Hug after a Sporting Victory
An unexpected hug can be regarded as an invasion of a person's personal space, but if it is reciprocated it is an indication that it is welcome. 

Some Western culture commentators advise avoiding hugs at work to prevent uncomfortable moments, especially with people who dislike hugging. 

Also, a person, especially a child, may caress and hug a doll or stuffed animal. Young children will also hug their parents when they feel threatened by an unfamiliar person, although this may be regarded as clinging onto rather than hugging because it demonstrates a need for protection rather than affection.

Cultural Aspects
While less common, hugging may be undertaken as part of a ritual or social act in certain social groups. It is a custom in Latin cultures such as France, Spain and Latin America for male friends to hug (as well as slap each other on the back) in a joyous greeting. 

A similar hug, usually accompanied by a kiss on the cheek, is also becoming a custom among Western women at meeting or parting. In Portugal and Brazil, it is common, mostly among males, to finish letters and emails with Um abraço or Abraço followed by the sender's signature. 

Similar formulas may be used in oral communication. In the Roman Catholic rite of the Holy Mass a hug may be substituted for a kiss or handshake during the kiss of peace ritual. 

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A group hug among young men show their close friendship
In May 2009, The New York Times reported that "the hug has become the favorite social greeting when teenagers meet or part these days" in the United States. A number of schools in the United States have issued bans on hugs, which in some cases have resulted in student-led protests against these bans.

A Canadian journalistic investigation in 2015 noted the popularity of the hug in bromance, among young francophone adults in Quebec.

Some cultures do not use hugging as a sign of affection or love, such as the Himba in Namibia. During the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, it is halal (permissible) for someone to hug one's significant other during daylight hours if one has self-control. However if accompanied by libidinous urges, it is haram (sinful).

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Health Benefits
Hugging has been proven to have health benefits. One study has shown that hugs increase levels of oxytocin and reduce blood pressure.

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Group Hug

A group hug has been found to be a useful tool in group therapy to cement a sense of cohesion among the participants after a session, although it may cause discomfort for group members who shy away from physical contact.

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In Non-Humans

Patricia McConnell notes that dogs tend to enjoy being hugged less than humans and other primates do, since canines interpret putting a limb over another animal as a sign of dominance.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hug

How to Hug

Five Methods:

1. Hugging a Crush
2. Hugging a Friend
3. Hugging a Lover
4. Hugging a Family Member
5. Tips that Apply to Any Kind of Hug

Hugs are a great way to express affection. Hugging shows that you care about a person and that you support that person through good times and bad. However, you want to hug your crush or your lover differently than you hug a friend or family member. Read on for some tips on the best ways to hug the people that you care about.

Method 1  🤗 Hugging a Crush

1   Approach your crush carefully. Smile and say some caring words or compliments. Make sure that he or she is expecting a hug! It can be awkward if you come up and hug someone out of the blue, especially in the city.
Hugs often happen at celebratory events like birthday parties, graduations, or when two people are reunited after a long absence (that may be the right time to give someone a nice hug).
2 Lean forward and put your two arms around your crush, pressing the person you are hugging warmly toward you. Lucky you!
If you are a man, her arms should be around your neck, and you should be embracing her around the waist. Keep her in that position for no more than a couple seconds, and let go and soon as she does. Look her in the eyes when you separate and continue the conversation naturally.
If you are the woman, put your arms behind his neck and press your chest lightly against his chest. Let go as soon as he does. Do not linger or you will seem desperate.

Method 2 🤗  Hugging a Friend

1. Go up to your friend. 
2. Give your friend a genuine smile.
   
3. Embrace your friend.

 

Girls: Close your eyes and think about how much you love your friend when hugging. Press as much as you feel like without squishing your friend. Do not clap the person you're hugging on the shoulders. Some girls think you don't like them if you do it that way.

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Guys: Embrace strongly, and clap each other on the top of your backs. If you're having an emotional moment, hold the hug for a brief moment and do not clap each others backs.

Method 3 🤗 Hugging a Lover
1 Approach your lover and put your hands on his or her shoulders. The experience is just as romantic no matter who initiates the hug.
2  Look your lover in the eyes and say, "I love you." If you want to, tell him or her how much you care and how much you love spending every second together.
3  Fall into each other. Hug the person you love for as long as you want to.

Males: 

Carefully sliding both your hands down from her shoulders, put them on her waist and slide them around her lower back. Put your head on her shoulder and press her towards you for as long as you like.
If you want to, you can give her a small massage with your hands, and try to warm her.
You can also lift her in the air and shift her weight towards you. Girls especially love this one.
When you separate, you can look into your lover's eyes, smile genuinely and, if the situation is fitting, kiss her like you mean it.
Females: 

 

Extend your arms toward him and wrap them around his neck and shoulders. Lean as close as possible and press your torso against his.
In situations of extreme intimacy, interlocking your leg in his is appropriate.
Avoid holding your arms below his shoulders and embracing too tightly, even if you're about the same height as he is.

Method 4 🤗 Hugging a Family Member
1  Walk over to your family member. Approach your family member with kind feelings. Obviously, the feelings won't be the same as what you'd feel for a crush, a lover or a close friend (unless you and your family members are also friends).
2   Embrace your family member. Continuing to talk while hugging is okay.
Where you place your hands is not important because the person you're hugging won't think it over too much.
Press gently. You don't necessarily have to have hard contact.
Stroke your hands quickly across the top of the other person's back. Smile when you let go.

Method 5  🤗 Tips that Apply to Any Kind of Hug
1  Hug only when the person you want to hug extends his or her arms. If the person doesn't look like he or she is preparing to hug you, then you may want to back off.
2  Be welcoming when you hug. If either of you requested the hug, then make the person you're hugging feel safe. Act as though the two of you are the only people who matter at the moment.
3   Avoid hugging the person too tightly. The best way to judge how tightly or loosely to hug is to let whomever you're hugging indicate what they want by how hard they squeeze. If they are soft, be soft back; if they like bear hugs and squeeze tightly, hug back the same way.
4   Hold the hug for a moment before letting go. A hug is a powerful way to communicate that you care for another person, as it can feel great and improve the other person's mood. Ending the hug too early may make both of you feel awkward.
5   Know when to give a long, loving hug, especially if the person is feeling upset or down. If you feel comfortable, go along with it and hug until the other person lets go or loosens his or her hold.

 

André Gomes Hug-a-thon!
Portugal Star Soreads LOVE For CHARITY

Everton and Portugal midfielder André Gomes joined forces with Everton in the Community to host its first ever hug-a-thon with his efforts helping the charity's mental health fundraising campaign, The People’s Place.
Over 200 Evertonians bought tickets for the event at Goodison Park with each person getting the opportunity to meet, and hug, Blues star Gomes in the setting of the home dressing room.

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https://youtu.be/4gObOcm1OQA

The Hugathon
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https://youtu.be/3UKR8OmdDdM

🤗  Hugathon!!  🤗
You have just been hugged!!
That's right, there's no getting out of it this time!!	In your hug ... is the circle of life;
This is the start of a Hugathon!	A new beginning to an endless day,
So hug everyone you know!!!	A ray of hope to light your way.
Hug your friends, your enemies, everyone!!	A hug will make you "aahh,"
Hugs are warm,	A hug will make you "oohh;"
Hugs are nice,	A hug will make you smile,
Hugs are ways	A hug will make you feel great.
To break the ice.	A hug lightens up your day,
If you send me a hug,	A hug throws away your loads;
You won't regret;	A hug strengthens your ties,
I'll hug you back,	A hug makes you feel important.
So you can't forget!	Stop! Take a break!
A hug is just a way to say,	A hug is harmless.
I love you in a special way;	It only takes a little of our time,
To tell that someone special,	Why not share a hug?
I care about you in every way.	We all need a hug, don't we?
When you shed a tender tear,	Take a hug and pass it on,
A hug is sure to be near.	Don't save them up it can't be done.
When you're trembling in fear,	Share them with family and friends,
A hug will come from someone dear.	Share them whenever you can.
Wrap your arms around someone near,	Hug your friends, your enemies, everyone!!

http://www.funofun.com/hugathon.htm

 

A Guide to National Hug Day
by Tasha Ball  January 21, 2016

Happy National Hug Day!
While the celebration for this holiday may seem pretty obvious, there are actually a multitude of ways that you can hug it out. So we’ve created a guide to all the different types of embraces out there using some of our favorite dude-hugs as examples.

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The morning hug:
This is the kind of hug you give in the morning when you’re still wearing your blanket-cape. Often followed by a walk of shame or brunch.

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The awkward hug:
Usually reserved for exes, distant relatives, and wives who have lost their memories, the awkward hug typically involves a half-assed one-armed attempt to replicate a real hug.
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The consoling hug:
This is all we would need from Channing Tatum in order for us to feel better. He has healing powers the world knows nothing of.
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The bro hug:
Involving two males in a platonic, yet loving embrace. Huggers will often include a double pat on the back to denote their status as friends in this hug.
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The long distance relationship hug:
Typically involving a jump, a hip thrust, and a leg-wrap-around, this hug screams, “I haven’t seen you naked in forever.”
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The group hug:
When there are three or more parties engaged in an embrace, it qualifies as a “group hug.” This particular example depicts the very rare “Group Bro Hug,” not often seen in nature.
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The hug with ulterior motives:
A physical example of the phrase, “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer,” this hug is dangerous and can cost you your life.
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The surprise hug:
One of our personal favorites, this one involves attacking an unsuspecting hug-hater with a quick squeeze.
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The “you’re gonna hug me whether you like it or not” hug:
Reminiscent of seeing your great aunt over the holidays, this hug involves one willing and one unwilling participant. Cheek pinching often accompanies this embrace.
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The consensual hug:
In contrast to the last example, the consensual hug is characterized by full disclosure and agreement by both parties.
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The legal hug:
Taking the “consensual hug” one step further, the legal hug cites your right as a human to be hugged.
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The good sport hug:
At the end of many athletic events, good sportsmanship calls for a friendly embrace to display mutual respect.
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And, of course the most important hug of all, the self-hug:

 

If the world has turned its back on you, there is one person you can count on to be there for you.
xx, The FabFitFun Team

^{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Hugging_Day}