Today is National Hugging Day!

With all the stress and sadness from yesterday, if ever we needed a day to hug, today is it for sure. Today is National Hugging Day - now this is a holiday for grandmas for sure! I LOVE this one! I looked on-line at punchbowl (dot) com and found the following information about National Hugging Day; "Today is National Hugging Day! Whether you prefer Bear Hugs, Heart-to-Heart Hugs, Cheek Hugs, or Side Hugs, embrace your loved ones today to show your love and affection.

Scientific studies have demonstrated hugs are incredibly good for us. A hug can lower your blood pressure, trigger the release of healthy hormones (like oxytocin), and relieve stress. Doctors recommend a minimum of four to six hugs per day for our emotional and physiological well-being, but more is always better!

The record for most hugs given in one hour by an individual is 1,749. Nick Vujicic achieved this feat at an expo center in Oregon in 2010.

Find out more about National Hugging Day and celebrate it in your own special way. Create a hug chain, host a hug-a-thon, initiate a group hug, or substitute hugging for handshakes in honor of the occasion!"

So, what else might you do to celebrate National Hugging Day? Well, maybe you could . . .

• Buy a bag of Hershey Hugs candies and give them to the people you come in contact with today!
• Have someone take a picture of you and your grandchildren hugging.
• Make "hugs" - lay out long sheets of paper - have your grandchildren lay down on the paper with their arms out to their sides - trace around your grandchildren's arms - connect the lines when they get up - cut out the arms and have your grandchildren decorate the arms/hug for one big paper hug which you could send to family who live too far away to hug them today!

I found some great info on hugs on Nationaltoday.com - 

• 12 — the number of hugs required by humans every day to be healthy. 
• 32% — the percentage of stress which is dispelled with a hug. 
• 20 seconds — the average time of a hug. 
• 4 — the number of hugs needed for survival. 
• 8 — the number of hugs needed by humans every day for maintenance. 
• 10 seconds — the hug time which leads to biochemical reactions in the body which boost health. 
• The average time spent hugging is an hour a month.
• Most people hug with their right arm when going for a hug.
• The nurturing touch of a hug builds trust and a sense of safety.
• Hugs instantly help increase oxytocin levels, which heal and combat feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger.
• Next time, when you feel like fighting with someone, stop … and give them a hug instead. It will give you time to calm down and remind you of your close connection.
• Hugs strengthen the immune system.
• Scientists found that hugging — even if it was just an inanimate object like a teddy bear — helps soothe individuals’ existential fears. 

You will find more info about hugging at this link. What might you do to celebrate National Hugging Day?