Hug for health! - Abrazo Colectivo in Barcelona

Brother and sister sitting on a bench starring at the water

The phenomena of flashmobs have changed a lot by today. After unexpected, breath-taking dance shows and pillow battles, here comes the newest edition of these events: this Saturday is the day of the Collective Hugs, or in Spanish: Abrazo Colectivo.

In a world full of stress, deadlines and tension, what better could happen to you than a half-an-hour-long hug? Forget about the everyday running and live for the moment for a while! Come alone or with friends, you can be sure that there will be someone to hug.

Wow, hugging someone who I don´t know? Isn´t it a bit weird? At the first moment, maybe… But then we realize that it is what we really need. Don´t believe? Here are some scientific facts that prove that hugs are the best medicines.

1. Hugs increase oxytocin levels immediately. The sufficient amount of oxytocin is essential as it is responsible to feel emotionally balanced –it decrease the feeling of loneliness, isolation and anger.

2. Hugs increase serotonin levels
. Serotonin is a neuro-transmitter that helps you fight depression and sadness. If you feel blue, just hug someone next to you, and let the agony go away.

3. Moisturized skin! Oh, come on, that really can´t be true! But is it! Okay, as a side-effect, but it´s true! A balanced state of nervous system causes change in skin conductance, too – that makes it more moisturizes and also causes a bit of electricity in it.

4. Hugs help physical health. When someone touches you, the receptors on your skin called Pacinian corpuscles send signals to the vagus nerve, which is located in the area of the brain that is responsible for lowering blood pressure (among many others).

So, are you in? Let´s meet this Saturday, 9th January, on Plaza del Mar in Barcelona!

Location: Café Buenas Migas de la Barceloneta
Date: 9th of January 2016 15.00
Organizers: Hug Me Barcelona

Where to sleep in Barcelona?
Share a hug with us, too and have your bed at our wonderful Garden House Hostel Barcelona! Book your bed here!