The hug is much more than a gesture of affection, as it has multiple benefits. Among them, stress reduction, mood improvement, and strengthening interpersonal relationships stand out. Psychologist Kevin Zaborney from the University of Michigan in the United States proposed the idea of World Hug Day. During his work in a prison, he noticed that young people avoided expressing their feelings in public, which led him to develop the theory that hugs could have a positive impact on people's physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
A hug is a physical contact that conveys tranquility and is a way to release feelings. Therefore, Hug Day becomes an invitation to share this universal gesture and celebrate human closeness. It signifies meeting, welcoming, and protecting, serving as a demonstration of affection and kindness that occurs between at least two people. International Hug Day is celebrated on January 21, born in 1986 in the United States thanks to the initiative of Kevin Zaborney.
This psychologist promoted the idea with the intention of fostering emotional expression and strengthening emotional ties between people. This date was strategically selected between the Christmas and Valentine's Day festivities, given the emotional vulnerability that many people experience during that period. One of the most notable benefits of hugging is the improvement of mood, as giving a hug is to welcome another human being, offering them a safe place, refuge, and even comfort.
