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Why shouldn't you end this January 21st without hugging someone? Well, because today is International Hug Day, a date that began to be commemorated for the first time in 1986 in the United States and that has been expanding since then to the various continents.
According to the definition provided by the RAE dictionary, a hug is "the action and effect of holding someone in your arms out of love or affection or as a sign of greeting, farewell, reconciliation, etc.", but the truth is that this comforting gesture is not experienced the same in different cultures.
The idea of establishing International Hug Day came from psychologist Kevin Zaborney, who wanted to draw attention to the fact that, in his opinion, "American society is ashamed of showing feelings in public."
It has been proven that hugging helps improve relationships, gives security to children, combats insomnia, reduces tension and increases self-esteem, stimulates neurons and, ultimately, makes us feel better.
As he explains on the International Hug Day website, this anniversary "was created mainly to encourage family and friends to hug each other frequently (and consensually)."
"There is a wealth of past and current research available that finds that positive touch, such as hugging, improves physical, emotional and spiritual health," she notes.
Although, he does warn: "Reasonable care should be taken with those who feel uncomfortable with public affection or their reaction to a hug is unknown. In these situations, it is recommended to ask first before hugging and exchanging consent."
Even hugging the trunk of a tree is a therapeutic act, physically and mentally healthy, as can be seen in one of the photographs we see in this report in La Vanguardia's Readers' Photos. It is direct contact with a living being, centenary or even millennia-old.
