The Magic Power of Touch

I have always been a massive hugger. I love to hug. It’s the best way of saying hello to people in your life and it brings so many benefits that it needs to be talked about some more.

It’s a shame that right now we are being told that we are not allowed to hug our friends and family because hugging has been scientifically proven over and over again to support not only mental and emotional well-being but amazingly, it helps to boost physical health, including your immune system.

There have been studies on various species that show that the power of touch is hugely beneficial in the development and growth of each animal.

In 2018, Tiffany Field, Head of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, travelled to different airports to watch people interacting.  The findings were shocking; nobody was touching each other anymore. Everybody was so busy on their phones, even the toddlers were interacting with their devices rather than humans.  I think that we are all aware of how we are changing due to our modern devices.

All through our lives touch plays a primary role in the development of our mental health, emotional well-being and physical health too.  More recent studies on touch show its importance in boosting the immune system and fighting disease.

Ironic that, given the current climate, don’t you think?

What happens when we hug?

When we hug another person (also when stroking our pets) our heart rate drops and the blood pressure regulates. When we hug, the stress hormone cortisol is reduced and this has a direct impact on the cells of the body that fight any kind of disease and infection.  So the more we hug, the better our immune system. 

There were also studies done on children. The children were in two different groups; one group were talking to each other positively, hugging, touching and stroking and the other group were doing these things less frequently.  The group of children who hugged more; touched more, talked more kindly to each other and were less aggressive. Isn’t that food for thought?

One of our human needs is connection and if our human needs are not being fulfilled then it can lead us into stress, anxiety, depression and feelings of loneliness and despair. 

Here are a few things that you can do to help you to consciously create more connection in your life through the power of touch:

• If you live with a partner or children, make an effort to touch them some more. Sit closely when watching TV
• Hug for at least 20 seconds
• Get a massage - this is a game changer
• Get your nails done (when safe to do so!)
• Go to the hairdressers(again, when sage to do so)
• Hang out with animals!

If you live with someone who is unaffectionate, explain the importance of you getting your hugs in.

I always say 3 hugs a day to survive and 12 to thrive.

So, give yourself a hug from me.

Love and light.

Adele