Have you ever craved for that one hug? For that one forehead kiss? For that one caressing the hand that could bring comfort even at midnight and soothe you? I’m sure you must have.
When was the last time you hugged someone you love, and who you don’t live with? 6 months ago? Or seven months ago? Not sure of the date? When was the last time they caressed your hair when you had a rough night?
When was the last time you felt the kiss on your forehead that assured: “I’m always here”?
If you’d known that would be the last time; Then you’d have paid more attention and held them for longer.
Touch often plays a vital role in maintaining connections with your relationships. It is crucial because it communicates emotions and love to others and stimulates Oxytocin, the love hormone.
Affectionate touch can not only promote feelings of bonding but also build up attachment in couples. In long-term relationships, it can become the reason for physical health and well-being.
From backrubs to caresses, from holding to hugging, this intimate touch tends to keep you close to your partner more than you think. Sexual touch is essential, but non-sexual touch is even more critical.
Touch – A key to communication?
Touch can compellingly communicate emotions, non-verbally. A hug or a pat on the back can express positive feelings like love, care, concern, and gratitude. It can display sympathy in tough times. It suggests a subtle and nuanced approach in the way we interact with each other.
During pain, an arm around one’s shoulder can convey messages like, “I’m here for you!” “I’ll always be by your side.” etc.
Bust hesitation in touch can reflect negative emotions. Imagine a child gripping tightly onto his parents’ hand; it would remember that the child is experiencing fear.
Protectiveness and Safety are necessary for more intimate touches, such as a long hug. People can easily understand if the person is receptive to this form of contact or not.
It has the potential to initiate a deep conversation when supported with Eye contact, body language and conversation.
Is touch a relief to stress?
Touch can help your body and brain chill out. If you want to keep yourself in a state of calmness and relaxation, a contact from someone close to you helps bring that to you.
When we touch someone or are touched by someone we love, it produces mood-boosting serotonin and the minimal stress hormone cortisol. Our heart rate and blood pressure go down, and brain stress wave change in the direction of relaxation.
Studies have suggested that when our loved one’s massage, hug or otherwise lovingly touch us before a stressful event, we manage our stress in a better way, and our bodies remain in a mere mellow state.
Touch- A pain killer?
Ever wondered why A husband’s touch put his wife at ease when she is in labour pain? Being hand-in-hand with our partner has consistently been shown to work as a natural analgesic.
In a study published in Journal Nature, Goldstein was able to replicate his small delivery room findings; that is, when you reach out for your partner’s hand in pain, it seems to be helpful.
When couples were allowed to hold hands, the women’s pain subsided. How cute? The study also found that their heart and breathing rates synchronize, such an ‘aww-moment’.
Touch- adds fuel to your bond.
If you want to feel closer to your partner, look for situations to be close to your partner so that you can easily be in close contact.
We are just built to touch- the brain is made to do so. When our partner feels romantical, it surges a hormone called Oxytocin, or love hormone, which helps sustain a sense of deep attachment.
Holding hands, walking hand-in-hand, placing your foot gently on top of the other’s person under the table, or sleep in another person’s arm are things we often do when in love, which are minor signs of a touch of honey.
We’ve evolved all kinds of brain mechanisms to fall madly in love and stay in love, and touch is on the top among them.
Touch can make you both healthier and happier. People need to be in touch with each other to keep their stress and pain levels down and wellness up. It is impressive how contact can facilitate relationships.
Online touch or long-distance – You feel it? Of course
“It’s often just enough to be with someone. I do not need to touch them. Not even talk. A feeling passes between you both. You’re not alone.”
Online communication touches upon a very romantic aspect: People often say that they feel the person around them, their actions, and their touch.
With the great importance of physical touch in relationships built online, lovers generate a strong feeling of mental touching, which puts them at ease, even when they are physically absent and merely imagining.
People in long-distance or online relations touch each other emotionally and mentally, without making physical contact for a long time.
Touch is a universal language; Touch is the lowliest sense; “Sending a hug” sent online might be more authentic and closer than an actual one.
“At a touch of love, everyone becomes a poet.” Watch ‘Five Feet Apart’ on Netflix to realize what touch can mean if you haven’t.
Touch your partner, your dear ones and tell them how much you crave their hugs, their love, before it’s too late.
