Volunteering Hugs: The Youth Commission celebrates the International Day of Hugs in Callao

We celebrated the International Day of Hugs on Sunday, 17 October 2010 (as we do each year on the third Sunday of October). The Youth Commission of Coalition Callao was invited to participate in this event. The coalition youth shared free hugs with passers-by at the central plaza of Cercado del Callao (Av. Saenz Peña) and at the Malecón of the Marina Mercante School.

Why is this day important?

To share a hug not only brings love with those who receive it, but also to those that volunteer the hug. In a world where we are slowly losing the opportunity to interact with others, a hug is a way to maintain physical contact and to reaffirm the feeling that we are all part of humanity. Hugs do not cost anything and what we gain from them in return is an increased confidence in ourselves and a feeling of being secure of ourselves. Hugs sooth our emotions, show us why we are social beings, elevate our self esteem…and as Silvio Rodríguez says, hugs sweep away sadness.

When we hug, our bodies release endorphins, the neurotransmitters of happiness and love…and at the same time releases serotonin and dopamine, which stimulate and elevate our level of happiness in a natural way, without having to resort to other means that put our health at risk. We will never give up hugging…we will never forget to play…and we will never forget that we live in a community and need a connection and physical contact with those around us.

Click here to watch the video!

Happy International Day of Hugs 2010!!