Lower stress in just a few seconds | 3 minute read

In 2004, Australian Juan Mann (a pseudonym) was going through a personal crisis, following the divorce of his parents and the dissolution of his own relationship with his fiancé.

To feel better, he went looking for connection.

"I went out to a party, and a completely random person came up and gave me a hug. I felt like a king! It was the greatest thing that ever happened."

He wanted to share this feeling with others. So, Mann went and stood in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall holding a cardboard sign that read "FREE HUGS".

It took 15 minutes before he received his first hug — from an elderly lady.

Over the following months, Mann continued to hold his sign in public, slowly receiving more and more hugs.

Then in 2006, thanks to a friend's music video, "Free Hugs" went viral, landing Juan Mann a spot on Oprah and creating a global phenomenon.

Why did letters on a cardboard sign go viral? The science of hugs.

• Hugs activate pressure receptors in our skin, which send calming signals to the brain.

• Hugs slow our heart rate and lower our blood pressure.

• Hugs trigger the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin promotes feelings of trust, connection, and bonding.

• Hugs reduce stress and anxiety levels.

• Even a hug from a random stranger can produce a sense of comfort and calm, as physical touch lowers cortisol (the stress hormone) and releases endorphins, our body's natural painkillers, making us simply feel better.

The pebble

A shot of two widowed penguins appearing to comfort one another in Australia was picked out as one of the winners in Oceanographic magazine's Ocean Photography Awards in 2020.

The photo was taken by German Photographer Tobias Baumgaertner in Melbourne.

He was told that the two penguins had recently lost their partners and often comforted each other.

The challenge

Today, offer a hug to at least one person — a friend, family member, or even someone who looks like they could use a little extra comfort (with consent, of course). Notice how it makes both of you feel.

If hugs aren’t your thing, find another way to connect — maybe a kind word, a compliment, or even a fist bump. Connection is what matters.

Thanks for reading. We’re honoured you’ve spent a bit of your day with us. Feel free to reply and let us know which simple gestures make you happier. If you’re feeling extra generous, why not forward this email to a friend?