Touch is as essential to our well-being as fresh air or sunshine
Though we seldom talk about it, touch is as essential to our well-being as fresh air or sunshine. Unfortunately many of us do not get enough of this physical and psychological nutrient, and the deficit tends to get worse as we age. If we are single and do not have children or grandchildren living nearby, we can go weeks or even months without receiving an affectionate hug. This lack of contact adds a level of physiological distress to the social isolation that so often goes with getting older. Massage therapists and other professionals call this phenomenon “skin hunger.” A growing body of research suggests that safe, caring touch is good not only for the body but for the mind and spirit as well. It reduces stress in the most primal of ways, communicating far more deeply than words a sense of concern, comfort, and connection. more...
AARPThe Magazine Jan. Feb. 2006 (pgs.30-1) 601 E. St. NW, Washington, DC 20049
