The Power of Human Touch: How Connection Heals and Comforts

In a world changed by social distancing and pandemic precautions, even the simplest acts like breathing and touching have become sources of anxiety. These everyday actions, so fundamental to human connection and wellbeing, are now regulated by rules to keep us safe: staying two meters apart, washing hands, wearing masks. While these measures are essential, they have altered how we experience touch and connection in profound ways, impacting both our physical health and emotional wellbeing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjm9MCw8UJM

Why Breathing and Touching Became Sources of Anxiety

Before the pandemic, we rarely stopped to think about the importance of breathing freely or exchanging a handshake or a hug. Today, the risk of virus transmission makes these actions feel fraught with anxiety for many.

The social restrictions, including physical distancing and hygiene practices, serve to protect us and others. However, they have also amplified feelings of isolation. Beyond the physical symptoms experienced by those infected with COVID-19, millions have faced emotional challenges such as:

• Loneliness and social isolation
• Increased anxiety and depression
• Suicidal thoughts

These emotional struggles have led many to report feeling “not good in their skin” — a phrase that captures the deep discomfort caused by what is called tactile deprivation.

What Is Tactile Deprivation and Why It Matters

Tactile deprivation refers to the absence or lack of physical touch that humans need to thrive. While we may have learned to appreciate the need for non-sexual touch—like hugs, high fives, handshakes, and cuddles—this pandemic has stripped many of those simple comforts away.

Physical touch is not just a nice-to-have. It is an essential human need. Our skin seems to crave touch, emotionally as well as physically, and without it, feelings of sadness, longing, and anxiety can arise. When was the last time you were hugged or touched? Did it bring relief or a pang of sadness because it’s been so long?

Consider the impact of missing this connection:

• Studies with Romanian babies who lacked appropriate touch show that while they may survive physically, they do not truly thrive emotionally or cognitively.
• Humans evolved as social primates who groom and touch one another to form bonds and establish community ties. The very word contact originates from Latin — con + tact — meaning "with touch."

This emphasizes that touch is the foundation of social connection and identity.

At the same time, individual experiences with touch vary. Those with positive early bonding typically find touch comforting and relaxing. But for others, especially where touch has been linked to trauma or abuse, it may be difficult or uncomfortable. Despite these differences, most people need some form of healthy physical contact to feel truly connected.

Judith Ashton’s Unique Insight into Touch and the Mind-Body Connection

Judith Ashton brings over 40 years of experience as a psychotherapist, massage therapist, and bodywork therapist, focusing on the psychological effects of touch rather than just the physical manipulation of muscles.

Her work in hospice and palliative care taught her how touch could ease the suffering of terminally ill patients. Nurses she trained at the Michael Sobel Hospice observed:

• Reduced patient anxiety
• Improved sleep
• Decreased pain

These benefits came from incorporating massage and gentle physical contact into patient care, showing the profound emotional impact touch can have in difficult circumstances.

In her early career, Ashton searched for research to support her observations. At the time, there were few studies on human touch and most research was limited to animals. Over the past four decades, however, the body of research has grown significantly, confirming the importance of touch:

• From premature infants to the elderly
• In adolescent development
• During bereavement and end-of-life care

As a funeral celebrant, she has witnessed how the absence of human touch during the pandemic has intensified grief, leaving many people struggling to cope with loss without the comfort of physical connection.

“Touch says more than a thousand words. It connects, it soothes, and it supports us through hard times.” — Judith Ashton

The Brain, The Skin, and The Heart: The Science of Touch

Our hands are incredible organs of both sensation and action. Large areas of our cerebral cortex – the brain’s sensory and motor regions – are devoted to controlling hand movements and feeling touch. The fine motor skills and sensitivity of the hands allow them to detect countless textures and pressure variations, but they also express emotions.

The connection between skin and brain runs deep. Our skin is sometimes called a "second brain" because it contains a vast network of sensory receptors connected to systems that regulate:

• Immunity
• Digestion
• Nervous system function

Touch stimulates these receptors, leading to changes in hormone levels that profoundly affect mood and health. For example:

• Cortisol, associated with stress and anxiety, decreases when we receive comforting touch.
• Oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” is released, promoting feelings of bonding and relaxation.
• Dopamine, related to pleasure and reward, also increases, lifting mood and motivation.

This biochemical cascade explains why a simple hug or gentle touch can make us feel better almost immediately, helping us manage anxiety and emotional distress.

Touch communicates beyond words: it offers reassurance, love, and empathy. The skin's sensory stimulation is an essential support mechanism for coping with stress and uncertainty seen during the pandemic.

How to Nourish Yourself Through Touch When Isolated

Physical touch is a critical part of health for everyone, but what if you live alone or are limited in how often you can touch others? There are ways to care for your body and mind through self-touch and environmental touch.

For People with Partners or Family

• Share hugs regularly. Physical closeness increases oxytocin and lowers stress.
• Offer and receive back rubs, gentle stroking, or cuddling on the couch.
• Intentional touch can be a powerful act of comfort and care during difficult times.

For People Living Alone

• Use gentle self-massage on your arms, face, and hands—in skin or through soft clothing.
• Wrap yourself in a cozy blanket and focus on the feeling of warmth and pressure.
• If you have pets, stroking them creates a mutual exchange of touch that benefits both of you.
• Take showers or baths where the sensation of water stimulates your skin.
• Spend time outside letting the wind or sun gently brush against your skin.

These small acts can trigger soothing hormonal responses. When done mindfully, they reinforce a sense of connection to yourself and the world around you.

Tips for Intentional Touch Self-Care

1. Set aside a few minutes daily to stroke your skin with slow, gentle motions.
2. Use moisturizing creams or oils that add sensory pleasure.
3. Focus on the sensations and breathe slowly during touch to deepen relaxation.
4. Create a ritual around petting your animal friend or enjoying nature’s tactile gifts.

By including these practices in your routine, you can help combat tactile deprivation and nurture emotional wellbeing.

Looking Forward: The Lasting Lessons of Touch

When the pandemic eases and physical contact becomes safe again, there is hope we will appreciate touch more than ever.

The power of human touch reminds us that our hands literally grow from the heart, carrying the ability to express love and care to others. Touch connects us deeply, offering comfort words alone cannot.

Let’s remember this truth beyond the pandemic: touch is a vital thread in the fabric of human life. It helps us heal, belong, and thrive.

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For more reflections and stories celebrating the human experience, you can explore the Buxone blog archive 2020.

For practical tips on managing emotional health, visit trusted sources like the National Institute of Mental Health.

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The Importance and The Power of Human Touch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjm9MCw8UJM

Buxone Spotlight December 19, 2020