Did you know that “touch deprivation” is a legitimate psychological condition?
Matthew Hertenstein, who is the director of the Touch and Emotion Lab at DePauw University, states that not only is it a real thing but compared to other cultures, Americans are perhaps the most touch deprived culture on the planet. “Most of us, whatever our relationship status, need more human contact than we’re getting,” said Hertenstein in a Huffington Post article.
In fact, most behavioral scientists back up Dr. Hertenstein’s claims, reporting that most Americans prefer about a four foot bubble of personal space, as compared to other cultures where the distance between people is about a foot or so. And yet, a study from the University of North Carolina discovered that women who hugged their significant other, even for just a few seconds, have lowered blood pressure, and the stress hormones that are present in the brain are also reduced.
The Health Benefits of Touch
Yes, this and other studies have shown loving touch does the following:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves sleep
- Increases endorphins (the bliss hormones)
- Decreases anxiety
- Fights off infections
- Can lower the risk for heart related diseases
The Largest Sex Organ You Own
Touch is the first sense to be developed when we are born. And our skin is our largest sex organ. All the different types of touch — which have different pressures, paces and meanings — activate and fire up different areas of the brain, according to researchers. And there are receptors in the brain whose sole role is to convey emotion to the brain based on sensory information that is received.
So, learning how to touch the one that you love, and communicating with your partner about what feels good (or discovering new ways to touch each other) can not only improve and strengthen your relationship, but also serve to make you both healthier and happier in the long run.
A great way to make touching each other new, novel and extra-special is by adding sensual pleasure oils to the mix, such as massage oils or arousing lubricants.
8 Ways to Be a More Touchy-Feely Couple (Without Inappropriate PDA)
- Always kiss and/or hug each other hello, goodbye and good-night.
- Give each other a quick foot rub (this sends blood flow into the abdomen where all sorts of things could heat up)
- When you’ve got more time, schedule a full-body couples massage, or better yet, set aside time to do this privately at home together, using nice massage oils.
- Make a habit of touching your partner on the arm or hand when you speak to them.
- When walking past your partner, reach out to caress them in passing.
- Hold hands more — while watching television, walking somewhere, or at any public event where you’re sitting next to each other.
- Touch yourself regularly (yes, we’re talking about self-love) — after all, knowing how to touch yourself will make partnered sex even better.
- Invest in quality love oils like ours that can enhance the power of touch and one’s positive reactions to it.
