Join our Telegram group to get involved -https://t.me/+qKYvHOxLGYcxNzVh
Free Hugs NYC is bringing back #FreeHugsFriday first and second Fridays of the month throughout 2023! PLUS catch us at Mermaid Parade and Pride Parade for June. Email info@diffusesingularity.com or join our Telegram Group to get involved!
The Free Hugs Campaign is a social movement of people offering hugs in public places as random acts of kindness—selfless acts performed just to make others feel better and bring people together.
In this digital age we feel like the interpersonal barriers between people have grown, and many experience a a gap of intimacy and connection. We think physical connection is not just important, but vital, and it is our mission to bridge this gap and make the leap beyond our fears.
Some find it intimidating to be so open – learning about our own boundaries can be an exhilarating, intense experience.
For the last 10 years we’ve sponsored the free hugs campaign in Union Square as part of our vision of being the change we’d like to see.
Why give out hugs?
Everyone has their own reason.
Hugs make people happy.
Hugs bring people closer together and bridge the digital divide.
Hugs release oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine, which are naturally occurring chemicals in your body that make you happy and healthy! Hugs reduce high levels of cortisol, a chemical associated with stress.
minute will raise your spiritual vibration!
We guide our volunteers with a strict set of policies!
Always be polite – don’t force a hug on anyone, OBTAIN CONSENT! If they don’t want one that is that. No reason to be offended, or to offend someone if they refuse a hug.
Respect the other persons boundaries and comfort – just because someone accepts a hug, doesn’t mean they owe you anything. A hug does not give You OR Them license to push and violate your comfort and boundaries. Match the hug they give you, make them feel comfortable, and when they loosen their hug, let go as well.
Hygiene- wear clean clothes, take a shower or bath before you go out and make sure you look clean and nice. The better you look the more people will want to hug you! A dash of fragrance or cologne goes a long way as well.
Be safe! Always be in a group of people you know. Along with having safety in numbers, having a group of 3 volunteers or more generally makes people who are unsure want to hug you all more! Just because you are holding a sign does Not mean you HAVE to hug everyone. Alert your friends if anyone is acting inappropriate, and if anyone is harassing you, let someone know right away!