The solopreneurs guide to celebrating 'hug your boss' day.

Being a solopreneur can sometimes be a lonely business. A prime example? National Hug Your Boss Day. After all, who will give you your hard-earned pat on the back on September 4, 2015? Ruby, of course! We love to celebrate small business owners, so we’ve come up with a few ways you can celebrate your very own version of Hug Your Boss Day.

Hug Yourself…Literally!

Research has shown putting your arms around yourself and giving a squeeze reduces physical pain in your body. If you’re feeling a little tense—or maybe you just feel like a hug— gosh darn it, go ahead and hug yourself when no one’s looking.

Hug Someone Else

Maybe a self-hug isn’t quite up your alley. That’s okay—there are a number of benefits to hugging others, too! Studies show skin-to-skin contact decreases blood pressure and cortisol levels in the body. Sounds like reason enough to go get a hug from a friend or loved one. And in even more adorable news, cuddling up to Fido can have the same effect. After all, who doesn’t feel energized after a good puppy snuggle?

Be Kind

I’ll admit, this one’s my favorite—be kind! Performing acts of kindness has proved to make us feel healthier and happier. These personal connections act like mini health tune-ups, lowering blood pressure and even reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s a win-win for everyone involved, and that’s great news for Ruby, as we take personal connections and Fostering Happiness pretty seriously around here.

We’d love to hear your thoughts, too! How will you pamper yourself on Hug Your Boss Day? Share your ideas in the comments.

“Random Acts of Kindness” photo by kweez mcG via Flickr