National Cuddle Up Day Date in the current year: January 6, 2025

Cuddling, or an extended hug, is a common form of physical intimacy between family members, close friends, or lovers. It is a loving and intimate embrace that is typically shared between two people who are lying down or sitting very close together and lasts longer than a regular hug, from a few minutes to several hours.

Like hugging, cuddling causes the body to release oxytocin, also known as a “happy hormone” for its positive effects on well-being. Cuddling with someone you care about reduces stress and anxiety, lowers blood pressure, improves sleep, and makes you feel happier. Oxytocin also increases pain tolerance, so cuddling with someone you love when you’re sick or injured should make you feel better physically as well as emotionally.

Cuddling with your friends, family, or partner is also good for strengthening your bond because close physical contact communicates commitment, reassurance, trust, and security, all of which are essential to a healthy relationship. People who do not shy away from appropriate displays of affection are generally happier and have better relationships with the people who matter most to them.

For couples, cuddling can help increase sexual desire because in addition to oxytocin it causes the body to release dopamine, another “happy hormone” that stimulates the brain to seek pleasure. However, it is important to stress that cuddling is not inherently sexual: it won’t make you randomly attracted to someone if the attraction isn’t already there.

Cuddling is especially beneficial for parents (both moms and dads) and their young children. Parents who cuddle with their kids feel closer to them and are more attuned to their moods and needs. Babies who have lots of physical contact with their parents tend to sleep better and cry less.

What about cuddling with your pet? Cuddling with pets like cats and dogs has many of the same benefits as cuddling with humans. However, it is important to remember that animals, like people, have their own personalities. Some pets want to be cuddled pretty much all the time, while others are much less affectionate. So don’t force cuddles on anyone, human or animal, because everyone deserves respect for their personal space.

The origins of National Cuddle Up Day are unclear, but the choice of date makes sense: January is typically one of the coldest months in the Northern Hemisphere, and snuggling up is one of the best ways to stay warm. You can celebrate this cuddly holiday by snuggling up with your significant other, good friend, or pet; learning more about the benefits of cuddling; ordering a body pillow or a cozy blanket if you don’t have anyone to cuddle with; going to a cuddle party (yes, cuddle parties are a thing!); booking a massage, which has similar health benefits; and posting about the holiday on social media using the hashtag #NationalCuddleUpDay.