Coronavirus has human beings losing touch with, well, touch.
At our core, we’re hard-wired to give and receive interpersonal touch. But our relationship with tactile connection, even at the most platonic level, has evolved overnight to stall the spread of COVID-19.
Initially, handshakes were replaced with elbow bumps. Then those contacts were deemed too risky. Now, with many states still under stay-at-home orders, physical encounters with strangers or friends feels like a thing of the past. Some people have been left completely isolated, unable to touch anyone at all for over a month.
As the pandemic continues, this lack of in-person contact can put your health at further risk.
“There’s really two categories of detriments when the level of affection is inadequate. One is more psychological or emotional,” says Kory Floyd, Ph.D., a professor of communication at the University of Arizona and author of “The Loneliness Cure.” “But there’s also very much a physical component.”
Research shows that interpersonal touch, whether patting a friend’s arm or cuddling with a lover, improves physical and emotional wellbeing. One recent study suggested that simple displays of affection like hand holding can enhance attention and performance. In a review of the research, scientists from Carnegie Mellon University found evidence linking affectionate touch to stronger immunity, fewer physical discomforts like aches and insomnia and better psychological health.
Tiffany Field, Ph.D., director of the Touch Research Institute at University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, studies the therapeutic benefits of touch at all stages of life. Her research has shown again and again that touch is beneficial to human physiology—it can lower the heart rate, decrease blood pressure and aid in stress relief.
When humans don’t get enough touch, they can experience a state of deprivation called “skin hunger”, which Field calls “a metaphor for people feeling as though they’re not getting enough touch.” This state can lead to a variety of health issues, including restless nights.
“When you don’t get enough touch, you don’t sleep well,” says Field. Her team studied the effects of different types of physical stimulation, like therapeutic massage and hugging. Because touch is relaxing, individuals who receive these kinds of touch tend to experience deeper, more restorative sleep.
“When you don’t sleep well enough it becomes a vicious cycle,” says Field. “It hurts your immune system.”
Sleeplessness can also lead to an avalanche of psychological dangers. Floyd says emotional weariness, limited exercise and growing stress levels “interact to affect overall wellness.”
And in close relationships—including during quarantine—a lack of physical affection can cause or worsen feelings of loneliness.
“It would be like being deprived of food or being deprived of sleep,” he says. “Everybody understands how detrimental those are. Loneliness has the same magnitude of detriment, just on a different time frame.”
In the age of COVID-19, the remedy is complicated. Opportunities for safe physical contact remain slim.
Yet even those living alone or isolated from friends and family can find ways to stimulate the skin—and reap the physical and emotional benefits.
Floyd suggests snuggling with a pet. Research shows interaction between humans and animals can help alleviate stress. Those without pets can cuddle with a pillow or try self-massage, either on the hands or the neck.
“Your brain distinguishes from self-touch and touch you receive from others,” he says. “But that doesn’t mean self-touch can’t have similar kinds of benefits.”
Connection of any kind during this period of uncertainty is important. Whether you are taking a socially distant stroll or shopping for groceries, Field says there are safe ways to acknowledge others, even complete strangers.
“We can smile, say hi. If we have a mask on, make eye contact,” she says. “Something to just convey that we’re all still connected with each other.”
Thanks so much for your post. I love this site.
what is tinder , tinder sign up https://tinderdatingsiteus.com/
solutions to erectile dysfunction https://erectiledysfunctionpillscvs.com/# erectile destroyer
Fine way of telling, and fastidious article to take
information concerning my presentation subject matter, which i am
going to convey in university.
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Many thanks
I love what you guys are up too. This kind of clever
work and exposure! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve included you
guys to our blogroll.
Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and
say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but
I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any points for first-time blog writers?
I’d genuinely appreciate it.
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site,
how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable
deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea
Hello, just wanted to mention, I loved this article.
It was practical. Keep on posting!
Howdy, i recently thinking id post and let and allow you toyou know your blogs design is really messed up on the K-Melon browser. AnyAnyhowhow keep up the good work.
Took me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the post. It proved to become Really helpful to me and Im certain to all the commenters right here Its always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained Im certain you had fun writing this post.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for cheap flights
Hey I was just looking at your website on my Pure phone and I was thinking about how well it will work on the new ipad coming out . Fleeting thought. Anyway thanks!
These are genuinely great ideas in concerning blogging.
You have touched some good points here. Any way keep up wrinting.
Kazdy czlowiek umiera, nie kazdy naprawde zyje. – William Wallace http://www.xmc.pl
I am curious to find out what blog system you are utilizing?
I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest site and I’d like to find something more safe.
Do you have any solutions?
You made some decent points there. I looked on the net to learn more
about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.
Thank you for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your further post thank you once again.
It’s very easy to find out any topic on web as compared to books, as I found this
article at this web page.
This is such a superb source that you are offering and you provide it away for free of charge. I love seeing web sites which comprehend the importance of furnishing a top quality resource for absolutely free.
I’m nonetheless learning from you, as I’m trying to obtain my goals. I definitely liked reading everything which is written on your website.Keep the stories coming. I enjoyed it!
I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your content.
This article has really peaked my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and
keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.
Thankfulness to my father who shared with me about this web site,
this webpage is really remarkable.
You are not the general blog writer, man. You certainly have something powerful to add to the net. Such a wonderful blog. I will revisit again for more.
nice information its usefulness and significance is overwhelming the way you covered all the basic necessary information is really impressive good work keep it up