{"id":342675,"date":"2015-01-21T16:57:34","date_gmt":"2015-01-21T08:57:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mariefranceasia.com\/uncategorized-hk\/fais-calin%e2%80%89-342675.html"},"modified":"2015-01-21T16:57:34","modified_gmt":"2015-01-21T08:57:34","slug":"fais-calin%e2%80%89","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mariefranceasia.com\/hk\/events-hk\/valentine-day-hk\/fais-calin%e2%80%89-342675.html","title":{"rendered":"International Hug Day: Would you hug a stranger?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"calin-ok-750x410\"<\/span><\/a><\/h2>

<\/span> <\/h2>

How it came\u00a0about<\/span> <\/h2>

Kevin Zaborney<\/strong> of Michigan, USA, created the National Hug Day <\/strong>in 1986\u00a0so that everyone can freely embrace their loved ones \u2014 or strangers \u2014 in a friendly hug. He chose January 21st, considering it's a month after the merry Christmas holidays and a month shy of the world's day of love, Valentine's Day<\/a>; essentially the time where everyone needs their spirits to be uplifted. And what better way than to express that in a gesture as simple and\u00a0sincere as a hug?<\/p>

The power of a hug<\/span> <\/h2>

Researches show that there is a scientific explanation behind that warm and fuzzy feeling you get when hugging someone. Amongst other studies, the 2012 version published by Comprehensive Psychology\u00a0<\/em>shows that just 10 seconds of hugging every day can alleviate stress<\/a>, reduce blood pressure and any risks to heart problems<\/a> and depression.<\/p>

This is because when hugging, your body releases oxytocin, a hormone which helps fight the feeling of loneliness and anger. Another happy chemical, serotonin<\/a>, also increases when you hug somebody. Additionally, hugging endorses the feeling of being loved and hence boosting our self-esteem. In other words, a hug is comparable to meditation: it teaches us to physically and emotionally relax \u2014\u00a0carpe diem\u00a0<\/em>as they say.<\/p>

20,000 hugs\u00a0per day<\/span> <\/h2>

While some of us can pass a day without\u00a0hugging someone, or have the idea cross our minds at all, the affable Hindu priestess Mata Amritanandamayi sits up to 20 hours a day to hug over 20,000 visitors. Throughout her life, Amma \u2014 or also known as the Hugging Saint \u2014 has embraced over 34 million people in need of healing. Some even camp\u00a0long hours to find comfort in her\u00a0hug.<\/p>

Meanwhile, the Japanese\u00a0went out of their way to open Soineya Cuddle Caf\u00e9<\/strong> (literally 'sleep together shop') in the capital, for people who are looking for the comfort of a hug. The place allows customers to sleep next to strangers and cuddle with no strings attached.\u00a0Workaholics especially,<\/a> have seen the worth in paying money in return for a hug.<\/p>

While waiting for a store with a similar concept to open\u00a0in Singapore, let's get ourselves one of those Dream Man Arm Pillow<\/strong> or Body Wrap Pillow on this International Hug Day. Or even better \u2014 hug somebody!<\/p>

<\/span> <\/h2>

Fabienne Broucaret\u00a0and Natasha Gan<\/em><\/p> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Some days all you need is to do is spend a second or two wrapped in someone else's arms and find happiness in a hug. We have good news \u2014 today is the one day you are entitled to that heart-warming hug!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":66024,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"It's January 21st, which means it's International Hug Day. Don't be shy, hug someone close to you! 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