Humans, as social animals, crave touch. Touch is the most primal sensation we possess and the skin is our largest sensory organ. Our primate cousins spend as much as 15 percent of their day grooming each other, using touch as a means of building community and cooperation. And yet, we in the United States are living in one of the most touch-phobic societies on Earth. Depriving ourselves of an experience for which we are designed has many detrimental effects on our overall health. But it is possible to change our habits and reach out to those around us more often. Here are five of the most important reasons to make sure you have plenty of touch in your life.
1. Lower stress. Loving, compassionate touch increases levels of oxytocin in the brain. Oxytocin is often called the “bonding hormone”, although that is a very simplistic description. It helps us to feel safe and gives us a sense of connection and trust with the person touching us. Oxytocin also helps to reduce levels of cortisol, the “stress hormone” commonly associated with the “fight or flight” instinct.
2. Lower blood pressure. As a calming touch causes cortisol levels to drop and oxytocin levels to rise, blood pressure levels also begin to come down. There is at least one study that finds a potentially protective effect on cardiovascular health among couples who regularly engage in loving touch such as hugging, holding hands, and partner massage.
3. Increase cooperation and compassion. When we touch someone, we feel a sense of connection with them, even if the touch is so brief it is hardly noticed. That feeling of connection, even if it is subconscious, makes us more likely to forgive that person their transgressions and even wish to help them. These feelings of compassion are associated with better mental and physical health.
4. Develop social bonds. Touching a close friend helps to build feelings of love and connectedness with that person, deepening the value of that friendship. And strong friendships, it turns out, are very important to long term health. Studies have shown that people who have close social bonds live longer, happier lives.
5. Pain reduction. Studies have shown that feeling the touch of a loved one’s hand reduces not only levels of stress, but also feelings of pain. Pain may also be reduced by the touch of your massage therapist. You already know that massage can reduce pain by working out tight muscles and restricted fascia, but it can also reduce the perception of pain by stimulating the sensory organs of the skin, boosting production of oxytocin and endorphins, and lowering blood pressure.