The Benefits of Touch
From the moment we are born, the touch of another human being is vitally important. Skin-to-skin contact with a newborn helps them adjust to life outside the womb and assists the mother in her recovery from pregnancy and childbirth. Throughout childhood and adulthood, we seek connection, comfort, and care through hugs, hand holding, and other contact with friends, family, and even people we don’t know well.
The emotional and social benefits of touch are great, but there are physiological benefits as well. These have been well-researched and can even help explain why emotional and social connections happen. Taken together, all these benefits lead to one conclusion — our need for touch is real.
Reduced stress and anxiety
Studies have shown that touch lowers the body’s levels of cortisol, the hormone that is produced in times of stress. It can also lower the heart rate, increase overall feelings of calm, and reduce anxiety.
Lowered blood pressure and boosted immunity
Touch creates positive change for the whole body, including the immune system. It can boost your immune system while lowering your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and other conditions.
Building social relationships
Human touch releases oxytocin. The increase in this feel-good hormone impacts your perception of relationships and causes bonds and attachments to form. It’s one of the healing aspects of a mother holding her newborn, as well as the way we build connection with our loved ones. Touch helps us feel loved and included, which increases healthy social connections.
Increasing touch in our lives
Whether it’s a friend or a relative, reaching out to lend a hug or comforting touch of the hand strengthens the connection with that person. For the elderly, single, or those living alone, touch may not be a daily part of life.
Lack of touch was one of the most challenging parts early in the pandemic for many who lived alone. In protecting ourselves from illness, we stopped many forms of casual touch. Even now, many people may not be as comfortable with formerly accepted greetings like hugs. Consent is important, and we recommend always asking someone before reaching out to touch them.
Massage therapy is a healthy way to increase touch in your life. You will benefit from the release of tension in your muscles but also receive many of the wonderful benefits of touch, such as reduced cortisol and increased oxytocin.
Many people have found that pets are a good stand-in for human touch and connection. Though the relationship is not quite the same, it fills a void for many. Others have found sleeping with a weighted blanket mimics the feeling of a reassuring hug.
Time and research have backed up what we have always known — the physical presence of others in our lives affects our well-being. Whether it’s a handshake, a hug, a gentle squeeze of the arm, or a massage, the physical connections we have through touch improve our lives greatly. From decreased stress and anxiety to increased immunity, our life is better from just a little touch.