It turns out Jan 21 is National Hugging Day. Who knew? I didn’t either…

The Power of Real (and Virtual) Hugs

Do you miss hugging?

Like so much else in our lives, hugs are going virtual. Virtual hugs, of course, aren’t the same as the real thing. But they do have an effect –even an emoji heart or smiley face in an email or text can make you feel good.

Science helps explain our need for hugs. A recent story by the Cleveland Clinic points to studies that show that hugs can boost your immune system and reduce your blood pressure and heart rate in stressful situations. In other words, hugs tell your brain to lower your defenses: You are safe and not alone.

Express your love through a (virtual) hug

I know that a lot of you are thinking about hugs and wanting to send them to the people you love and care about. Well, it turns out Jan 21 is National Hugging Day. Who knew? I didn’t until my team member Meredith told me. It recognizes the mental, emotional and physiological benefits of a hug. But how do you do that if you can’t see people in person?

You may count on us for gifts, and we are so glad we can be there for you, but we actually consider ourselves in the business of helping you express and connect to the important people in your life. Emphasizing the importance of expression and connection is even more important during a pandemic, when everyone is more isolated. Sometimes you just need a hug.

Creating a Tidal Wave of Connection

We are launching the Virtual Hug Challenge to encourage our community to extend virtual hugs to all the special people you know that could use some reassurance, support and comfort. In fact, I am doing a lot of virtual hugging these days with my family.

I strive to create moments of love and connection during these times. Virtual hugs give us all a simple reason to smile. With whom do you want to send a virtual hug and why? What does a hug mean to you?

#NoLimitsOnLove

Not all virtual hugs need be digital. I recently spoke to Debra Morris, a friend who founded Eventsful, a New York events company we work with frequently. Debra is known for her creativity and talent at giving just the right gifts. Debra told us that one of her close friends had reached out to her for advice on what to give to her best friend who lived far away, and had just lost her mother.

Debra asked her close friend what she would want to give her friend if anything in the world was available. The answer? A hug.

Obviously, that wasn’t possible. But Debra immediately thought of things that might mimic the feeling of a hug and suggested a weighted blanket. Once you are under the blanket, you feel … hugged. Every time she used it, Debra told her close friend, you could tell her that it is you hugging her. The blanket truly symbolized her friend’s love and support and that there were no limits to what she would do to support her.

Debra and her close friends embody the power of caring, support and friendship. I believe that there are no limits on love and what people will do for those they care about. When there is caring and a willingness to help there are endless possibilities for how you can be supportive in just the way the person needs. There is no limit on what people will do to help a friend or give them the encouragement, love and support needed to persevere.

As we prepare for Valentine’s Day the team is gearing up to make sure we can help you express and connect to all the people you love and we are encouraged by all of you who truly exemplify that there are no limits on love and the power of connection.

PS: Alice Lewis, Founder & CEO of Alice’s Table was back on ABC’s Shark Tank! During the “Where Are They Now” segment, Alice discussed how she has been working to grow her business, which included how 1-800-Flowers.com has helped her pivot during the global pandemic to offer customers virtual floral workshops. If you missed it, check it out here.

PPS: In an #Aftershocks column published in Worth Media, I explore The New Frontier of Telehealth. One of the more promising effects of the pandemic has been the rapid adoption of telehealth services, or the distribution of health-related services and information through technologies. A trend that had long been predicted to take off, telehealth never really gained momentum before the pandemic arrived in March. Almost overnight, America’s health care infrastructure became telehealth-enabled