Blackberry Circle is excited to continue the work of Juan Mann and is encouraging the rest of the community to join and take an active part in the International Free Hug Day on July 3, 2010.

Blackberry Circle will be Old Town Spring on July 3, 2010, from 10:00AM until 2:00PM offering free hugs to anyone who wants them. Join us in Old Town Spring or better yet...

We encourage you gather several of your friends, make some signs or t-shirts that say "Free Hugs," and find a place in your area to offer free hugs. Take photos, take video, let’s show the world that our community is a loving group of folks and we encourage open arms ready for a hug.

There is no better way to understand the importance of hugs than to be deprived of them. For those who have experienced a deprivation of hugs, you will know how important they are to share.

In those dire moments of hug deprivation even one hug can be enough to cheer you up.

Research by US psychologists Karen Grewen and Karen Light has shown that when people hug the brain releases the chemical oxytocin. This encourages social bonding, increases our willingness to trust and decreases fear. It has also shown that hugs are great for your heart. A study was conducted that measured the heart rates and blood pressure of two groups of people, a group of huggers and a group of non-huggers. Those who went without hugs were found to have a higher blood pressure and resting heart rate in comparison to the group of huggers, who had noticeably healthier results.

In 1995 a pair of prematurely born twins were being cared for in hospital. While one of the twins seemed quite healthy, her sister was suffering. After trying a range of medical approaches, the nurse on duty, Gayle Kasparian, placed the twins in bed together. The twins immediately snuggled up to each other. As one placed her arm around the other, the frail infant’s health began to improve. You can never underestimate the power of a hug!

You can learn more about International Free Hugs Day at:
http://www.freehugscampaign.org/

There is even a manual for the Free Hugs Campaign at:
http://www.freehugsguide.org/

And the video. THis is such a great video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4