Why is Touch so Important?

The importance of healthy touch

Anyone who has had a massage knows the benefits and how much information you can get from just one session. Things you had know idea were lingering in your muscles, being revealed to you like you’re a stranger in your own body.

It's no secret that our ever digital society is touch starved, our connections with others are heavily digital and as much as I love a remote work set up, we miss out on that much needed connection.

Healing touch is scientifically good for you from premature babies being held skin-to-skin gaining weight faster and leaving hospitals sooner to 20 second hugs measurably calming the nervous system. Caring touch triggers oxytocin, the body’s natural bonding hormone, to be released and lowers cortisol levels from stress.

Our aging community suffers from the most touch starvation while young mothers are after touched-out.  Bodywork also provides a source of touch therapy for otherwise solitary adults of any age.

I’m not saying we need to start touching people more, but maybe linger longer for hugs with friends and family, let yourself be held, connect deeper. My most favorite hugs are from the people who hold me a little longer.

Should you hug your massage therapist?

Well, it depends, like any hug it depends on the person involved.  Do you know them well, do you know how they usually respond to hugs? Is the body language indicating that a hug could or would be appropriate or appreciated. If I have hugged you before I would probably hug you again. Objectively I do not hug men unless it’s family or close friends, but I do hug the girls, gays, and theys.