Nothing is so healing as the human touch. Bobby Fischer
The other day I read a story where a woman drove into an inoculation centre. When her turn came she stopped the car, got out and asked the nurse to remove her glove while she administered the shot. The nurse asked ‘why?’. The woman responded that this was the first human contact she had had in a year.
The world is suffering from touch starvation. Humans need physical contact from other living beings. Without it, we suffer from depression and anxiety, stress, poor sleep and loneliness. Touch historically was a way of developing relationships, showing affection and reducing aggression between people. Newborns have stronger immune systems, gain weight faster and are calmer with regular touch. However with the advent of mobile phones and social distancing we have seen handshakes, hugs, high fives, fist bumps, back pats, and shoulder squeezes disappear even between friends and family. It is no surprise that mental illness is now the largest medical spend globally.
Our skin is our largest organ and one most taken for granted. It represents 15% of our body weight and within it are millions of sensory receptors. When we hug for 20 seconds or more oxytocin is released reducing stress, blood pressure and anxiety and enhancing our immune system.
Today we are faced with a modern paradox. On the one hand we are told to social distance, stay 6 feet apart, avoid groups and avoid physical contact to stem the spread of the virus on the other we know the benefits of touch to our emotional and physical wellbeing.
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring all of which have the potential to turn a life around. anon
To touch is to come into contact with. While feeling is the sensation from touching. How to find ways to connect with other living beings? Here are some suggestions to maintain your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing during these unprecedented times.
Massage – full body or just foot, head or hands
Stoke a pet - or visit a pet shelter
Get your nails done
Visit a hair salon even for just a wash and blow dry
Learn to dance
Exercise
Hire a professional cuddler (apparently they do exist)
Hug someone (make sure they reciprocate though)
But at the end of the day I invite you to take the advice of Diana Ross and
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can