International Hug Day is celebrated every January 21st. This event was created by American Kevin Zaborney, who was concerned about the lack of public displays of affection, even among family members. According to a report accessed by the Argentine News Agency, this day has been commemorated since 1986 at Zaborney's initiative from the University of Michigan. Its mission is to promote the expression of affection and support between people, offering multiple benefits for physical, emotional, and psychological health. Hugs are important for communicating and transmitting emotions without words. They also help with emotional regulation, teach social skills, decrease pain and sadness, recharge energy, stimulate the immune system, and balance our nervous system when we are upset. Additionally, among the main advantages of hugs are the following: they provide security, cause pleasure (the brain releases dopamine and serotonin, which reduce stress), cover our emotional needs (a person needs 14 hugs a day to feel fully loved), allow us to function better, are the best cure for shyness, and lower blood pressure.
