Do you know how soothing and comforting touch can be? Of course you do! You have experienced it yourself so many times through your life. When you're depressed or miserable, doesn't the touch of a child's hand or the weight of a baby in your arms ease the unpleasantness? Touch can perk you up; dissipating the effects of stress and making your mind and body relax and feel better.
Some people are particularly benefited by touch. Consider elderly people living on their own or in an institution - touch delights them, and makes them feel part of humanity. With no one from their own families to see and interact with on a daily basis, these older people are so glad when they feel the touch of a friendly hand, since all they get to feel nowadays is the occasional clinical or functional touch from a nurse or helper.
Touch certainly eases pressure and improves one's mood, and remarkably, it can have a healing effect, too. For instance, the cool hand of a mother soothes a fevered brow and the loving touch of a wife allows healing tears to flow.
When a person whose job entails a lot of work at a computer is rubbed gently on the back or neck, it is instantly soothing. Stress eases away at once at that massaging touch.
Suppose you are arguing with someone in the family when your child suddenly gives you a hug or even just touches you lightly. It's hard to carry on the argument after that because it's difficult to sustain your annoyance when you have just been lovingly touched.
People who have pets also experience the relaxing effects of touch when they pat and hold their animals. When you get home after a rotten day, being greeted by a delighted dog is a mood lifter in itself. You start to unwind immediately.
It is undeniable that humans need the physical pleasure of a touch. It doesn't matter whether you're being hugged by your wife, son, brother or buddy, a hug or any affectionate touch will instantly make you feel better and look at the world with brighter eyes. Even hugging yourself makes you feel good, more relaxed and calm.
Take your kids to a petting zoo and see how much they love stroking and cuddling the creatures there. As they play with the various animals, they will delight in the feel of their different skins and pelts, full of interesting textures and appearances.
The human touch can ease tension, calm emotions, heal pain and comfort in times of trouble. A touch can be amatory, or even the kind of touch that makes people feel better about themselves and be ready to share their thoughts.
A cantankerous old gentleman will brighten at the touch of a child's hand in his; a mother's hand can caress a troubled child to sleep; a friendly touch can invite confidences; a pat on the back from a buddy can help a disappointed student get over failure; a sister's hug can ease the pain of grief ... touch truly does wonders.
Kim Archer writes about women's wellness. She is publisher of The Internet Spa, where you'll find up-to-date information to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.
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