The Touch

~ Joyce Mary J

The year of 2020 and 2021 made us to realize the importance of touch with several other things which we took as for granted. Human touch is so essential in our lives and we learned that in a hard way. When we had the freedom to go out and to have a life with our family and friends, most of us were living a life in front of our phones, laptops or television. We ignored that there were people around us whose life can be changed by a touch of us and above all, we never thought that we needed them too.

I’m not a touch or hug person. But I started to crave for my daughter’s hugs and kisses when I had to stay away from her. It made me realize how important it was for me and how sad I can be if I’m deprived of it. I still remember the days, when I used to come back from work and there was no way I could go nearer to her. My daughter with all her innocence, once, came behind me and touched my clothes. She just wanted to feel her mother and I did cry a lot on that day because I felt helpless as a mother.

There are so many scientific evidences on the advantages of a touch.

First of all, when we touch a person, oxytocin is released which is known as ‘the feel good hormone’ in our body. Thus, it helps in building positive thoughts and optimism and thereby creating trust in social situations.

Touch helps in reducing anxiety and stress. It increases the levels of Dopamine and Serotonin which helps to regulate our mood and thereby decreasing the negative emotions.

Touch is also known to increase the efficiency of our immune system and also in lowering the blood pressure. It helps in reducing the diseases related to heart and blood.

In my language there is a saying that only when we lose our eyesight we know the importance of eyes. It’s only when I was not allowed to hug my daughter due to the coronavirus, I knew how much it was important to me. How relaxing and calming her hugs are!

Touch has a memory.

John Keats

We are not people who touch each other carelessly; every point of contact between us feels important, a rush of energy and relief.

Veronica Roth

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a
listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all
of which have the potential to turn a life around.

Leo F. Buscaglia

You will live in the future as an extension of the lives that you have touched. Therefore, you may wish to consider how you’re touching people.

Craig D. Lounsbrough

There’s power in the touch of another person’s hand….Hands that wrap us in warmth, that hold us close. Hands that guide us to shelter, to comfort, to food. Hands that hold and touch and reassure us through our very first crisis, and guide us into our very first shelter from pain. The first thing we ever learn is that the touch of someone’s hand can ease pain and make things better.
That’s power. That’s power so fundamental that most people never even realize it exists.

Jim Butcher

Please leave your comments on the topic as I would really love to read them.

Published by Joyce Mary J

25 thoughts on “The Touch”

  1. Yes, hugs and touches are so important for our life, even for those people who are from a culture that’s more reserved and less expressive. LOL. I often think that humans raise dogs and cats (or other pets) just to feel the constant touches and hugs when in modern life, it is hard sometimes to be able to touch or hug other humans.

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    1. We really need those hugs and touches to keep ourselves physically and mentally sound. I think you are right pets are a good substitute to get some hugs. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic. I really appreciate it.

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  5. Hugs are just the warmest snuggest of sensations! Why even teddy bears do when a real person is not immediately available! Ask any kid! Very touching that bit about your daughter touching your dress..to get some comfort of touch of her mother. Hopefully we will all make up later😍for the hug deficit, and attach more value to these simple things we took for granted.

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    1. About the teddy, yes that’s what she used to do. We really need to add more value to those little but important things. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. Much appreciated.

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