National Hugging Day

The easiest and most affordable way to show your love and appreciation for a person is to give them a big hug. National Hugging Day encourages people to show their emotions, feel free to show their affection, love, admiration, and kindness through hugs.

History

Once Kevin Zaborni noticed that after the Christmas holidays and before Valentine’s Day, people were often in a depressed mood. He came up with the idea of celebrating National Hugging Day in between these celebrations.

This positive, kind holiday first appeared in 1986. Embracing loved ones and relatives, people convey all their warmth and show their love. Initially, this day was considered a family holiday, but over time, people have become less shy. Hugging a stranger on the street or in a square on January 21 has become a tradition.

With the development of Internet resources, this day has become an international celebration. Every year, more and more people join flash mobs.

Interesting facts

• The population of Japan celebrates Hugging Day on August 9th.
• In Western European countries, Hugging Day was initiated by students in the mid-70s. Unofficially, it is on December 4th.
• In 2004, Sydney resident Juan Mann launched a social media hugging campaign to celebrate the occasion. A few years later, he was supported by millions of people from all over the world.
• Scientists conducted a study in 2014, which revealed that hugging not only improves mood but also reduces the risk of contracting certain infectious diseases by 30%.
• According to psychologists, hugs help overcome shyness, isolation, and make people feel more confident in society.

How to celebrate

From the very morning, embrace family members, relatives, and friends in warm hugs. People will be provided with a charge of positive emotions for the whole day.

In the evening, you can get together with friends. After traditional hugs, arrange a competition, telling each other how many people they managed to make happy with hugs in a day.

One of the best ways is to arrange a flash mob in the most crowded place in the city, inviting people to hug. You can even organize a bear hug tournament.

When is National Hugging Day in 2025?

National Hugging Day is observed on January 21 each year.

Observations