10 Reasons to Hug a Runner on National Hug a Runner Day

It is National Hug a Runner Day. Below is a list of ten reasons to hug a runner, be he/she be a friend or a stranger (hopefully a friend).

1. Hugging can change the world. It’s free. It’s convenient. And it benefits all parties involved. You may not know what the recipient of your hug is battling, but your hug could make the world of difference. Running is therapy. So is affection.

2. Hugs boost Oxytocin, a hormone that promotes a positive attitude. This is the “love” hormone. It is the hormone that makes us feel warm and tingly on the inside. Warm a cold runner from the inside out with a quick hug.

3. Hugs drive away feelings of isolation and loneliness through the increase of seratonin and dopamine. Runners may seem solitary, but those long miles alone on the road can become tedious.

4. Hugs strengthen the immune system. With cold and flu season in full effect, runners need all the help they can get.

5. Hugging relaxes muscles, and is a hell of a lot less painful than a foam roller.

6. Hugs build a sense of trust and safety. Under all that Under Armor and reflective tape is a person. That individual may appreciate

7. Hugging reminds us how to give. Giving to others has its own gratifications and makes us feel powerful and awake.

8. They also show us how to receive with gratitude. Receiving a hug can make us feel appreciated and more confident.

9. Hugs remind us to be centered in the moment. Being in the moment allows us to take in the entire picture, appreciate life on a broader scale.

10. Hugs help reduce blood pressure and lower heart rates. Don’t believe me? Hug a runner wearing a heart rate monitor. Instant gratification and proof positive.