The Science and Power of Touch: Why It Matters More Than Ever
Touch isn’t just nice - it’s necessary! Between releasing more of that “love hormone” to your actual heart health, here’s why you need more of it in your life.
Weirdo Intro
Is there a single word that defines your brain’s ability to link any thought to a song snippet? I haven’t found it yet but I did discover that more often than not it happens when our brains make connections between similar things we’ve experienced. What happens is the words we’re thinking trigger a song we once heard because everything in our brains around those words gets a bit of neural activation. (btw, this happens to all of us all the time, it’s only when it gets stuck that it turns into an earworm aka “involuntary musical imagery”)
So that neural activation? It’s been happening to me since I decided I wanted to write on the topic of touch. All of a sudden the Pointer Sister‘s Slow Hand as well as Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me from the Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack have been ping-ponging around in my brain. I realise that these songs are not necessarily aligned with what I’m actually going to say about touch - they’re both a bit, shall we say, suggestive, but hey, that’s the way our crazy brains work.
Alrighty, with that intro out of the way let’s go!
Touch
Does it seem like our lives are dominated by digital interactions? Since I have friends and family all over the world, teach via Zoom and do a bit of other work online (case in point - this blog) mine def does. It’s true that we’re decreasing the amount of physical touch built in to our lives but I need to tell you, its importance to our well-being cannot be overstated.
Remember last week I was in Sydney? One of the things I got to do was catch up with two friends I’ve met online. Seeing them in person and being able to give them a hug and experience their energy irl felt profoundly different than seeing them through a screen. It was more grounding, more real. It made me think about the power of touch and how, in our increasingly disconnected world, we need to prioritise it more than ever.
Also, my kiddo, who lives across the country and if I’m lucky I see once a year, is not having a fabulous time of life right now. All I want to do is scoop them up and snuggle with them on the couch just like we used to do because there’s something innately healing about physical touch. It reassures, calms, and connects us at a fundamental level. And, as science shows, it's vital for our health.
The Science of Touch:
Let’s Get Nerdy and Explore Why Our Bodies Need It
Here’s some research that demonstrates the powerful physiological effects of touch:
Boosts Oxytocin, the "Love Hormone": Touch stimulates the release of oxytocin, a hormone that fosters bonding, trust, and emotional connection1
Reduces Stress and Lowers Cortisol: One study shows that touch helps nurses deal with stress while a second one indicates that women who receive a neck and shoulder massage from their partner had lower cortisol levels and heart rates 2
Improves Heart Health: Research showed that couples who engaged in regular affectionate touch had lower blood pressure and heart rates (I think the Pointer Sisters were on to something😉)3
Enhances Immune Function: Research from 2014 found that greater social support and more frequent hugs protected individuals from increased susceptibility to infection associated with stress4
Supports Mental Health: Included in an overarching review on touch are studies indicating that individuals who experience regular physical touch report lower levels of depression and anxiety5
Touch in Daily Life:
Pets, Pilates, and New Cultural Norms
Every night when I climb into bed, my cat Tish joins me and plants herself in the teeny space between the edge of the bed and me (truthfully I have no idea how she manages to not fall off)! I usually give her some love, get some purrs in return and blissfully drift off to la la land.
It’s probably a no brainer that research suggests petting an animal can lower blood pressure and increase serotonin and dopamine levels, leading to a sense of well-being. So the take home message? Get a pet!6
But hey, beyond pets, human touch has def changed over the years, particularly in settings like schools, dance studios, gyms and yes, Pilates studios.
In my 25 years of teaching, the approach to tactile feedback has shifted significantly. Nowadays, explicit consent is required before physically guiding a student into the correct position. I fully understand, support, and respect the necessity of this change but have to be honest with you, sometimes I just forget. It’s likely due to my “old school” dance training which involved constant, unspoken physical adjustments, which is not an excuse but merely an observation that we must continue to evolve.
There are benefits to tactile cueing that we don’t want to lose because hands-on cueing from an instructor helps to:
guide proper form and subtle alignment shifts
activate the right muscles
keep the client safe and prevent injury
Intentional Touch:
Self-Touch & Hugging
You know how when we’re cold we vigorously rub our arms and when we’re exhausted we instinctively massage our temples or our necks? Research supports these self-soothing behaviours as effective in regulating emotions and stress7
What’s my brain’s neural activity sending me now? I Touch Myself by the Divinyls, of course.
In my family, instead of asking, “Do you need a hug?” we say, “Do you need seven seconds?” Some years ago I heard the news that a 7 second hug was enough to release oxytocin and promote well-being. Lately though, I heard that it’s 20 seconds although I can find no supporting evidence anywhere when I search - it all seems anecdotal. I guess it really doesn’t matter though - just grab your loved ones and give them a squeeze. It’s a pretty simple yet profound way of reinforcing connection.
Bringing On More Touch!
How to Get It Into Our Lives
With modern life making physical contact less frequent, here are ways to integrate more touch into your daily routine:
Prioritize Physical Affection: Whether it’s a hug, a pat on the back, or holding hands, make touch a regular part of your relationships.
Practice Self-Touch: You can give yourself an hug and something as simple as placing a hand on your chest is a beautiful way to self-soothe. Weighted blankets feel good as well.
Get a Pet: Cats, dogs, chickens, reptiles - whatever floats your boat - the companionship of an animal can provide a consistent source of beneficial touch.
Be Mindful of Personal Boundaries and Cultural Norms: Recognise that everyone’s comfort levels with touch vary and should be respected.
Final Thoughts:
Reclaim the Power of Touch
Touch is more than just a sensory experience - it’s a feel-good and vital component of our health, relationships, and overall well-being.
It doesn’t matter what we do (as long as we get consent) we must find ways to reintegrate this fundamental human need into our lives.
So, How do you feel about touch? Is it something you seek out, or do you find it challenging to incorporate into your life? Are you a Hugger? Let me know
Wow, that was a long one so thanks for reading this week’s post.
Keep your eyes peeled for next week’s new interpretation of an old beginning of the month format.
Catch you then,
xBec
For your consideration (aka if you’re not aware I have a podcast on Creativity)
🤩Last week’s episode:
S1 E9: Creativity? Not in My Bones! A Conversation with Annette Nelson
In this episode of Threads & Bones, I sit down with my friend Annette Nelson, who - despite growing up dancing, singing, and experiencing culture - doesn't consider herself creative. Her husband, kids, and friends are, and she embraces creativity through them, but when asked to