Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Do You Know the Benefits of Touch?

There is so much power in a touch. When the Pandemic occurred, that was a time that touching became problematic? There was so little known about the Pandemic in the beginning. Hugging and touching was discouraged. The sad thing about this was that touching had been so beneficial to babies, families, and friends.




***Good News***


Did You Know?




 1. Intimacy

Did you know that when you engage in physical touch, such as hugging or cuddling, your bodies release Oxytocin, a hormone that helps to regulate your stress response and promotes feelings of well-being. This is according to wfla.com. They further add that intimacy can also improve your immune system function helping to keep you healthy and ward off illness.


2. Touch Benefit

Dr. Sears research has found that human babies deprived of touched showed decreased growth hormone. In addition it is found that newborns receiving extra touch displayed enhanced neurological development. This is talked about at askdr.sears.com. Hugs and love are so important.


3. Animals

Did you know that animals benefit from your touch? I recall I had a Doberman and a Toy Poodle. Most people were naturally afraid when they saw my Doberman. She weighed about 95 pounds, but I watched how affectionate my children were with her and this dog was as gentle as could be. They would hug our Doberman and our dog seemingly just calmly laid back and absorbed all the love. That was something I watched because some animals might not be that gentle and responsive. Now when we played together occasionally she would hit me at the back of my knee to let me know she could knock me down if she wanted too.


4. Hem of His Garment

Matthew 9:20,21. And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment; For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. This woman’s faith was such that she believed even though she was having difficulty getting through the crowd, if she could just touch the hem of Jesus garment she would be healed.


5. Wired for Touch

According to katiecouric.om people are ‘wired” for touch. The need for physical touch is not just limited to humans. She adds that chimps whose social practice of grooming one another are sometimes used to calm tempers and soothe conflicts; touching literally brings others closer together.


6. Touch Starvation

Do you know of anyone that might be suffering from touch starvation? Wedmd.com mentions that the effects of touch starvation might include stress, anxiousness, muscle tension, diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure. They further add that you can fight touch starvation by video chatting, online exercises such as yoga or workout classes, singing and dancing, and interacting with pets.


7. Touch in Different Cultures

Touch may vary in different cultures for example if a child is touched on the head in North America, that would be seen as fine, however, the head is considered sacred in Asia and this would be disrespectful. This is talked about at rebekkamikkola.com. They further add that to shake hands or accept a gift with your left hand in the Middle East is seen to be rude as this hand is used for bodily hygiene purposes.


8. Dementia and Touch

Did you know that studies have shown that a simple five to ten minute hand massage reduces both stress and aggressive behaviors in dementia patients. This is according to eastleighcarehomes.com.uk. They further add that it is very normal for dementia patient’s to have feelings of anxiety as dementia progresses, but touch can aid communication, through reassurance, without relying on words.


9. Touch is a Need

Have you thought about touch as not just something that you may want, but something that you need as a human being. Touch deprivation can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, problems with the nervous system, immune system problems, increased pain levels, slow the healing process, increase the blood and heart rate, interrupt your good mood, cause sleep disturbances, and lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Touch is so crucial to your life. Achievecocierge.com talks about this.


10. Facts About Touch

Studies have shown that touch promotes Oxytocin in your body which makes you feel more generous, more empathetic and nurturing, more collaborative, and more grateful, physical contact is just as important when building new relationships, touching is also a powerful and universal way to communicate distinct emotions, humans were meant to touch and be touches, to spend time in the company of other people, and make emotional connections. These are all mentions at Dignityhealth.org.,

Possibly you grew up in a home where there was little to no touching. That does not mean your present life has to remain that way, especially if you have children and an immediate family. You can change that by taking baby steps of practicing hugging family members. There certainly is nothing wrong with a father hugging and kissing his son, because little boys need touch and affection just as much as little girls do. Husband and wives must remember that your children are watching you. They watch how you interact with each other. Children are happy to see their mother and father Hugging and showing loving affection to each other. Children learn a lot by watching their mother and father interact.

Because children are vulnerable being in a family where their parent gives them healthy hugs and affection is very important to them as they grow into adulthood. As you go through your day today be intentional to to hug a family member and make that close connection.


Source:


The Benefits of Intimacy: How physical touch can improve mental and physical health

 

Touch Benefits

 

How Lack of Physical Touch is Starving Our Bodies And Minds

 

Touch Starvation: What to Know

 

Touch in Different Cultures

 

The Importance of Touch and Kindness in Dementia Care

 

How touch Deprivation Can Affect Your Mental Health

 

Facts About touch: How Human Contact Affects Your Health and Relationships

 

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2 comments:

  1. Great article about the benefits of touch Betty.
    Thanks bunches for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Paula. Have a good day.

    ReplyDelete