One year of social distancing and hugging has become the top priority now. No matter where you are, what you are doing, you just want to hug someone tight. Friends, family, partners or whoever, you just want to hug someone. That’s why this Hug Day is going to be special.
Are you thinking Hug Day is celebrated to extend the fun of Valentine’s Day as it falls just two days before 14th February? Well, it all started in the year 1986 when Kevin Zaborney first celebrated Hug Day on 21st January, 1986 in Michigan, USA. He started this campaign as he found people in low spirits at that point of time. He thought that the society of America was not willing to show affection in public. So, he believed that this Hug Day will definitely bring a difference. However, we don’t even know the different types of hugs we give to our friends, family and co-workers.
There’s the chest-crushing hug which tells you how much they love you. There’s the easy-going, warm embrace where your head is rested on their shoulder. Then, there’s the awkward hug where one of you was expecting a handshake or a fistbump or whatever. I could go on but my list can explain them better.
Here is the list of 6 types of hugs you might not know about
There are very few people who are unaware of “Jaadu ki Jhappi” from Munnai Bhai M.B.B.S. Can you ever deny that you don’t need that Jaadu ki Jhappi at times? When you are low at work, a small hug from your co-worker can change your day. Meeting your loved one after a long time, that is surely accompanied by a loving hug. So, Hugs have different meanings. Let’s look into them deeply. And maybe at the end of it all, somebody can give me a JaadukiJhappi?
The Buddy Hug
A Buddy hug or the sideways hug is one when your friend wraps his/her arm around you and holds you from back and pats on your back, it is called a Buddy Hug. Remember that this friend will always remain a friend of yours and you might not expect anything more.
The Protector Hug
When someone hugs you from back by his two hands around your waist, it is called Protector Hug. This person will always be protecting you. This is a symbol of immense trust in the relation as well. It is written in The Guide to Reading Body Language, “By covering your back, he’s conveying that he wants to shelter you.”
The Courteous Hug
This is the most formal hug. It is when eyes hardly meet and both attempt not to touch each other. This happens only when you hug the other person for the sake of it. You make sure that the touch is very polite and courteous. There is also a sober smile on each other’s face. This is the kind of hug that happens when siblings have fought and they are forced to make up by their parents (Speaking from personal experience).
The Bear Hug
Have you ever met your partner after a long gap? That meeting is more special than the first meeting. When you meet your loved one after a long time you give a Bear Hug. You delightfully hold your partner tightly and have no intension to leave. It also indicates that you missed your partner a lot. The Bear Hug is considered as the tightest hug.
This Valentine’s Day, expect an abundance of Bear Hugs, with partners seeing each other after months of lockdown.
The Awkward Hug
There will be times when you get an unexpected hug and not get excited about it. The person suddenly hugs you and you don’t get much happy about it. This is called Awkward Hug and they are pretty long. The other person will not like to leave you. Make sure you do not give or take this hug.
It can be a time for you to instead move up the ladder in the relationship and then to go for an actual hug, maybe even a courteous hug to just keep the feelings of the other person if you know the person well.
Or it could be the case as mentioned earlier. One of you was expecting a handshake and the other a hug. The end result was neither- one’s hand poking into the other stomach and the other’s hands trying to wrap the former.
The Religious Hug
Though, not quite your typical hug, this is a type of hug too. When on Eid, two people hug it out with big smiles on their faces, that is a hug that speaks communal harmony and peace of God. In this Hug, you embrace your brother/sister thrice or any number of your choice, shuffling on each instance between their left and right shoulders.
There are in fact plenty of hugs that come as and about. DOn;t be afraid to hug your wife/husband when you need to.
Benefits of hugging
Hugging is just about the most natural thing in the world, but it’s not always easy for some people because of their anxiety or phobia. “Hugging” is also an amazing way to give your body good care. Studies have linked hugging to a decrease in physical pain and an improvement in cardiovascular health. Hugging also naturally strengthens the immune system as well as the heart muscles and has even been shown to be beneficial for pregnant women. But that’s not all! “Hugging” can also benefit your mental health with a boost in antibodies and the release of hormones that help maintain our mood.
A hug can be therapeutic, and it can also reduce stress and anxiety. So why not give someone a hug? It will leave them calm and happy, and who doesn’t want that?
At this time of the year, you want to make sure you’re giving your loved ones the perfect gift. Check out our collection of beautiful handmade gifts available for your special somebody!
Hugging is a great way to get things off your chest and let people know that you’re there for them no matter what. It is also a great way of soothing your hubby/wife after they’ve had a hard day’s work.
Hug Day Gift Ideas
Though Hug Day is purely meant for the purpose of hugging your loved one, you can still gift them something creative. For example, how about a human-sized teddy bear that they can hug indefinitely? Or a cardboard cutout of their favourite picture of you? How about a warm cardigan/shawl that they can wrap around the two of you during hugging?
Check out the latest Valentine’s Day offers on GrabOn and make use of them to buy your choice gifts on Hug Day without spending much. The gift will put a smile on your partner’s face and the huge savings a smile on yours.
So, now you know the 6 different types of hugs and their meaning. This Valentine’s Day, be with your loved one and share a hug with them.Let them know that you are right here, by their side, with your arms around their body. Or just give a hug to some random stranger and say “Tu bahut mast kaamkartahai bhai.”
And if you and your friend/partner have some special hugs of your own (like special handshakes), then, feel free to let us know in the comments.Goodbye and a happy Valentine’s Day in advance.
This article is a part of our series on Valentines Day.
