Huggies in full support of The Big Hug

Children aim to change the world, one hug at a time.

File image.

“We need four hugs a day for survival.

“We need eight hugs a day for maintenance.

“We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” – Virginia Satir

Pending the commemoration of National Hug Day on January 21, Huggies is sharing its support of The Big Hug campaign.

The campaign was created by a group of extraordinary children around the globe seeking to have more people connect, empathise and heal each other by simply giving hugs.

“At Huggies, we are part of the parenting journey from the very first moment and we believe that a baby receives their first hug from their parents and the second hug from Huggies.

“We believe in the power of hugs to ensure that all the babies get the hugs they need to thrive, from the most delicate to the most vulnerable.

“No baby should go unhugged,” said Nthabiseng Leso, brand manager of POME, Huggies.

The founders of The Big Hug not only want to create a movement of hugging around the world, but they hope to set a Guinness World Record on National Hug Day for the largest group hug in St Petersburg.

Fun 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.

• A touch is described as a universal language that can communicate distinct emotions.

• A touch alone can reveal emotions including anger, fear, disgust, love, gratitude and sympathy.

“We want to encourage South Africans to take a moment on January 21 to hug those around them in support of these incredible children wanting to change the world with ‘The Big Hug’,” said Morné van Emmenes, brand manager of Moving Baby.