National Hug Day – 21 January

In light of National Hug Day Huggies® is sharing its support of “The Big Hug” campaign. This campaign was created by a group of extraordinary kids wanting to lead the charge towards more empathy and healing by connecting the world through a BIG HUG.

With the help of the public, these kids will attempt to set a Guinness World Record on National Hug Day for the largest group hug in St. Petersburg, FL on Sunday, Jan. 21st. Their aim is not only to set the record but to create a movement of hugging around the world.

So, on National Hug Day, Huggies® South Africa would like to encourage you to take a moment and hug those around you in support of the movement. Each time we sincerely hug someone, we are conveying our love and joy for that person in a way that can never be explained through our words alone. We feel all our burdens ease away while we are in a hug, and those worries are replaced by increased feelings of happiness and trust.

 It is known that human contact has many health benefits² and can improve both psychological and physical development. It can help build a good immune system, decrease the risk of heart disease, and decrease levels of stress in women. Never underestimate the value of physical touch or hugging your children.

Facts About Hugging

• On average people spend an hour a month hugging – that doesn’t sound like much but the average hug is under 10 seconds long
• A full-body hug stimulates your nervous system while decreasing feelings of loneliness
• Children who aren’t hugged have delays in walking, talking and reading
• A quick hug has a near-immediate impact on health – lowering your heart rate and inducing a calming effect while also leading to a more upbeat mood
• Hugging has just as much benefit for the person doing the hugging as the person being hugged
• Touch is described as a universal language that can communicate distinct emotions
• Touch alone can reveal emotions including anger, fear, disgust, love, gratitude and sympathy

“At Huggies® we are part of the parenting journey from the very first moment and we believe that a baby receives their very first hug from their parents and their second hug from Huggies®. We believe in the Power of Hugs to ensure that all babies get the Hugs they need to thrive, from the most delicate to the most vulnerable. No baby should go unhugged,” says Nthabiseng Leso, Brand Manager: POME, Huggies®. “We want to encourage South Africans to take a moment on the 21^st January and hug those around them in support of these incredible children who are wanting to change the world with a great “Big Hug”” concludes, Morné Van Emmenes, Brand Manager: Moving Baby.