How to Counteract Touch Deprivation

Touch is a powerful force. It is truly fundamental for communication, bonding, and health.

Touch is needed just as much as food & water for your body! Now that we are many months into the pandemic, an excessive amount of people are suffering from something called "touch deprivation" due to having to avoid others. Many are understandably afraid to get close to other people, as in fact that was the first precaution put in place when this all started. However, this prolonged lack of human contact may have negative effects on the population's wellbeing, both physically and emotionally.

Our bodies are wired to connect with others on a basic physical level. To deny or have a lack of touch is depriving ourselves of life’s greatest joys and deepest comforts. Touch also has the power to lower cortisol levels, our stress hormone.

Some signs to look out for if you are touch deprived:

● Feelings of depression 

● Anxiety

● Increase in Stress Levels 

● Low Relationship Satisfaction 

● Difficulty Sleeping

The healing effects of touch can help with mental and physical ailments. A few of proven benefits of touch are:

● Improves Mood

● Reduces Stress

● Increase in Circulation

● Releases Endorphins

● Strengthens Immune System

● Reduces Pain

● Boosts Confidence

Now, more than ever before, it is important to incorporate some regular ‘me time’ in your routine to get some needed touch if you do not receive it from others in your life right now. Some ways to simulate touch on your own would be to:

● Take long and hot showers or baths

● Wrap yourself in blankets, or even buying a weighted blanket

● Cuddling up with a pet

Massage therapy has typically been one of the best ways for people to get their healthy dose of touch. Massage has been proven to help relieve pain, speed recovery from injury or surgery, and reduce stress. What many perceive to be a treat, is actually a necessity for the body.

Certain massages can be practiced at home with a partner. So, grab a friend, spouse, child or parent, and perform these simple and fun massage techniques on each other, with Dana Durand’s Couples Massage tutorial:

Think you could benefit from some professional healthy touch? Book an appointment with one of our licensed massage professionals here: www.massagebook.com/Rockville~Massage~DanaDurandMassageTherapyLLC#services