Are You Touch Starved?
By Stephen R. Farris
As human beings, we require a certain amount of positive touch. It can be something as simple as a handshake, a pat on the back, gentle grasping of the arm or leg or even leaning on someone's shoulder. Even leaning on someone else can help bring a smile to yours or their face and make either feel good inside. It can put us in a better mood too.
How about coming home and being greeted with a hug? It can help reduce our stress levels if we've had a bad day at work or school. If we're feeling depressed, it can help raise our spirits.
Research shows there are many health benefits provided by simply touching another human being. We are tactile people.
Lack of human contact in the form of touching can leave us feeling starved. But not in the hunger sense. So it's important for our mental health that we give and receive some of those things mentioned above.
How Does One Know If They are Touch Starved?
You might feel drastic loneliness or hit with anxiety. You may feel depressed or have trouble sleeping. You may even find yourself cuddling up with your favorite comforter or pillow, just to have a sense of being touched. There are quite a few symptoms that are dead giveaways if you're feeling touch starved.
Good News: It Doesn't Have to Last
Say for instance, you do live alone. If you're feeling touch starved, you might try going out and getting a soothing massage, or a pedicure and manicure. Maybe it's time for a new hairstyle or cut, so head to the barber or beauty salon for a fresh new look and human interaction. Most barbers and salons these days provide hand-held head massagers that can be relaxing. Try joining a dance class. There's even a thing called cuddling classes that are becoming more available too, especially in the bigger cities.
Pets
Not only are pets good for families, they're great for those living on their own, by themselves. Dogs and cats seem to crave being touched, petted and even enjoy cuddling. Pets can also sense when you're down and encourage you to reach out to them to help break you out of your funk.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Surprise, Ariz.