Next to fuzzy dandelions clutched in sticky kiddo hands, hugs are the best (and most abundantly offered) gifts at our house.

Which means that Father’s Day will be a fiesta of hugs, hand-drawn notes, and surely a plucked flower or two.

Did you know those hugs do so much more than make your feel loved? Research has shown that hugs…

BOOST MOOD by raising serotonin levels.

STRENGTHEN IMMUNITY by stimulating the thymus gland which regulates the body’s production of white blood cells.

REDUCE STRESS by reducing the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

(This might explain why the 5 year old meltdowns at our house are usually improved with a hug...or seven.)

So, this Father’s Day, go hug your Dad! Hug your kid’s Dad. Hug your Grandpa. HECK, hug anyone that will take it, because this week, your hug can also benefit those with arthritis through the Hug Drive.

Our friends at Massage Envy are hosting a #HugDrive and they need your help! Simply pledge to hug your Dad this Father’s day and share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with #HugDrive and Massage Envy will donate $1 for every pledge* to the Arthritis Foundation.

In addition to those hugs, love notes, and flowers, you can also give Dad the gift of total body care from Massage Envy. And you can get a great deal right now with the Massage Envy Father’s Day special—check it out!

So join the hug drive by posting your #HugDrive pledge this week!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

*Up to $10,000

This post is sponsored by Massage Envy, the words and photos, as always are my own.