Why We Hug: A Call to Arms

When in the course of live events it becomes the responsibility of any human to acknowledge the creative force that music has become in our lives, the tremendous duty to endeavor toward a better world falls to each of us as artists, audiophiles and patrons within the festival community. For those who would resist the bastion of friendship that these places represent, we mourn your momentary discomfort. Accepting is always easier. Moreover, the short supply of acceptance is one of the greatest cultural shortcomings of our time. In accordance with this reality, we hold this truth to be self-evident: that all people—regardless of race, creed, sexual orientation, age or status—deserve love.

This love is commonly expressed through hugging. For those who may require a bit more convincing regarding the importance of this gesture, here’s a little more to grab on to.

Embrace the Feels

First, hugs are a source of comfort. They’re free, and they only get better with age. Hugging staves off loneliness and promotes self-esteem. Hugs also hold an unbeatable success rate as a remedy against negative emotions like worry, anxiety, sadness and fear. The act also allows us to connect more deeply by adjoining our bodies in a naturally occurring heart-to-heart.

At festivals, we greet friends and family with hugs, just like anywhere else. We also extend our embraces to strangers, and when we say goodbye, we do it with a hug. Even though it’s not a requirement to gush affection, we take advantage of the opportunity to create a little bit more love in the world. If the feels aren’t enough to get you relishing the squeeze, there’s still a mountain of science to sway you.

Hug Science

Second, hugs aren’t just an expression of positive intent. The science behind hugging tells us that the health benefits are enormous. Hugging lowers cortisol and blood pressure in the body and increases oxytocin in the brain. This promotes emotional positivity and a sense of well-being. Additionally, hugs reduce susceptibility to stress and are an instrumental part of most social support systems. We stay healthier longer and sleep better when we’re regularly getting hugs.

According to LiveScience and USA Today, hugs also become more beneficial as we age. A writer at Scientific American analyzed several studies and concluded: “Just as we prioritize exercise and nutrition, we ought to prioritize quality time with loved ones; just as we avoid unhealthy habits like smoking, we should make effort to avoid isolation and to counter social exclusion. And even if you don’t want to hug hundreds of strangers (although I recommend trying it), don’t underestimate the healing power of touch.”

At festivals, our affections serve a purpose. Hugs keep us warm. They maintain our energy levels and supply us motivation to come back in full force the next day. A single hug may not change your life, but the science says that more of them will make your life better. So why not try it?

Nurturing Culture

Third, hugs represent a bond and manifest friendships.

Hugging is one of few forms of human communication understood across cultures and generations. Holding someone else comes as naturally as breathing. Hugs are a lot like smiles and laughter: They make the world a brighter place, and unlike other resources on the planet, the more we share them, the more we have.

Hugging at a festival is also an external manifestation of our shared love of music. In other words, the embrace that we as ravers, goths or punks enjoy together reflects the shared celebration we have in our hearts for our music of choice. It’s another way of saying that by reciprocating an embracing gesture, we’re affirming friendship and forming an intimate attachment. Learning to express affection trains us to embrace one another, to feel a little harder so that we can better care for ourselves, each other and the outside world.

With these effects in mind, the opportunity stands before us. Will we govern ourselves by creating civilizations that value love for the sake of love? Or will we estrange one another at the expense of our heart, health and society? Without a doubt, I know which world I want to hold on to.

With arms outstretched and a joyful stride, I hope to leave all fear and doubt behind to march boldly forward, to create a better world, by pouring all the love I can into this one. Who’s with me?!

Are you with Graham? Let him know on his Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.