Thursday, 13th May 2021, 1:12 pm
It's been a long time since many of us could cuddle our nearest and dearest, while we've been trying to keep each other safe but from 17th May, cautious hugs are to make a welcome return. This follows the launch of Bear, the AO teddy to provide the nation with much needed hugging practise before the real deal, after new research from the electricals retailer revealed that the UK is a nation of ‘huggers’ with almost two thirds admitting they have missed physical contact during lockdown.
The pandemic has got everyone missing interaction with friends and family and almost half of Brits (46 per cent) would typically describe themselves as a ‘hugger’. Prior to restrictions, they usually enjoyed two hugs a day with more than a quarter of us more likely to hug others post-lockdown than ever before.