Apr
29
The importance of touch
Touch is a basic biological need. Touch is communication. Touch is a therapy. Touch heals.
Touch is the first sense that we learn to use, sending information to the brain before any of our other senses.
The Touch Research Institute has found significant evidence of the positive physical and emotional benefits of human touch for people of all ages with all types of issues. Touch can enhance growth in infants, reduce pain, enhance immune function, decrease symptoms of autoimmune and even increase alertness and performance.
But…we seem to be touching each other less. Why?
- We have forgotten how essential it is to touch another
- We have grown to fear our bodies
- Societal attitudes cause us to be concerned about touch
- We tend to refrain from touching when depressed, withdrawn or anxious
- Touching makes us feel vulnerable
Image via Favim.com
But what of the benefits of touch?
Touch is communication without words
Gently stroking a child will induce sleep, soothe pain and even calm rage.
Touching helps inform others of our presence, our comfort, compassion and our support, all without words or the need for a response. Touch can comfort a troubled mind leading to psychological calmness.
Touch is therapy
Our skin is our largest organ. Touching the skin directly stimulates the capillaries to increase blood flow, to generate heat and to relax muscles. Massage is the primary form of touch therapy we are familiar with, and is shown to be relaxing and even sensual if performed by your partner. Moreover it is an effective stress buster, reducing stress, anxiety, blood pressure and balancing emotions. I’ve written about that here.
“It is not just the skin that is touched it is the whole person” is a lovely quote from Travis & Ryan that brings together the importance of connecting touch to our wellness, using interpersonal touch as a means, a tool even, to support high level wellness.
Touch is healing
All the benefits of interpersonal touch I have listed are essential to overall healing and bringing about wellness. Even when we feel our own pain we instinctively attempt to self-heal by touching the area of pain.
What else from the science
Other benefits of touching include the release of the oxytocin, dubbed the love hormone and commonly associated with pregnancy and breast-feeding. Recent work in understanding the effects of oxytocin relates to the ability of this hormone to induce trust and social connections. Studies have revealed some amazing results on the physical and psychological effect of touching through hugging and therefore the release of oxytocin. One such study found that greater partner interaction has cumulative long-term effect, i.e. more hugs leads to higher levels of oxytocin, leads to greater partner bonding, leads to more hugs, …..creating a loop of positive partner therapy.
Paul Zak also referred to as Dr Love and one well-known researcher of the effects of oxytocin, has recently linked the use of massage to increases in the release of the oxytocin hormone and suggests that this may be the mechanism that drives the desire for social connections. Zak is also an advocate of the 8 hugs a day theory…which I try hard to do each and every day.
I admit I’m a toucher. I feel a sense of comfort when others touch me as a sign of affection, comfort or compassion, and I really love receiving and giving hugs, so I make touching an important part of my interaction with others. At times this will be a slight touch on the arm or shoulder, or sometimes it’s a great big hug.…whatever feels right at the time.
The reality however is that we live in the world that we do, and there does need to be clear parameters that allow touch to be associated with trust so that the vulnerable are safe. I’ve borrowed from Freya Watson this list of four qualities recommend for touch, as she puts it best!
“Clear intention – Be clear about why you want to touch another and stay focused on that intention. Are you intending to create a sense of well-being? Or pleasure? Or comfort?
Love – always come from a place of love
Presence – be present and mindful into the moment! focus on the sensation of touch
Trust. Trust that you can bring a sense of well-being and love to another by touching them”
So touch someone you love today, do some hugging today or even give yourself a foot rub!
Share with us your thoughts on ‘touch’ as a wellness tool, how do you use it with your loved one’s, friends and even yourself.
Sources:
Travis, J.W & Ryan, R.S (2004), Wellness Workbook, (3rd ed.). Berkeley, California. Celestial Arts
Britton, K, (2011), Touch and Trust, Positive Psychology News Daily
