21/01/2026
Do you love hugs or hate them? 😅🤗
I'm reaching my arms out to you & sending a virtual hug 🤗 on Hugging Day.
🤗 Hugs are a simple way to show affection, compassion & empathy.
🤗 Hugs can help lower stress levels because they encourage the body to release oxytocin (the bonding hormone) and calm the nervous system.
Which basically tells your body… you’re safe now.
🤗 This can reduce cortisol (stress hormone), ease tension in the body and boost the feel-good factor.
🤗 Hugs also help regulate emotions
Sensory sensitivity is REAL.
If your senses are already on high alert (sounds, lights, busy spaces, people talking at you)…
the last thing you might want is someone touching you or invading your personal space 😅
Sometimes you don’t want anyone touching you at all.
Your nervous system is like… 🚨 too much 🚨
Personal space is needed
And certain touches can feel overwhelming, irritating or even panicky
Like…
❌ being hugged unexpectedly
❌ someone standing too close
❌ feeling trapped in someone’s arms
❌ the texture/smell/pressure being too intense
❌ your body just saying NO
And then other times… a hug can feel AMAZING 😅
✨ grounding
✨ comforting
✨ regulating
✨ deep pressure support
✨ like your whole system can finally exhale
So always get permission 1st before going to hug someone — hugs don’t feel safe to everyone and/or can feel alien like they do to me.
If sensory overload and sensitivity makes touch/hugs feel like too much sometimes, try this self-hug to soothe your nervous system:
✨ Butterfly Hug (gentle tapping)
✨ Havening (stroking arms down to elbows)
Save this for when you feel overwhelmed
And
if you would like more self care ideas....
Take a look at my Self Care GPT Pal who can give you short self care tips when you brain can't think straight or you need a new dopamine hit.
Either ask me for the L I N K
Or
Head to the comments where it will be hanging out.
