The Remarkable Power of Touch and HugsÂ
Especially in Times Like Theseby www.Sedona.com A warm embrace from your spouse. Cuddling up with your kids on the couch. Even a simple pat on the back from an acquaintance. All of these examples of touch can have a profound impact on your happiness. In fact, the power of touch is quite remarkable. In one study of Korean infants, for instance, children in an orphanage who received an extra 15 minutes of massage, a female voice and eye contact five days a week for four weeks had greater increases in weight, body length and head circumferences than children who did not receive the extra attention. And in adults, studies have shown that therapeutic touch can actually: - Reduce stress
- Lessen pain
- Reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
This is not surprising when you consider the physical impact that touch has on your body. The Physical and Emotional Benefits of HugsA study by University of North Carolina researchers found that hugs increase the 'bonding' hormone oxytocin (the one released during childbirth and breastfeeding) and decrease the risk of heart disease. In fact, when couples hugged for 20 seconds, women’s levels of the stress hormone cortisol decreased, as did their blood pressure. Holding hands yields similar beneficial effects, and it’s been suggested that simply hugging and holding hands in the morning may help protect you from the impacts of stress for the rest of your day! Touch also releases two feel-good brain chemicals, serotonin and dopamine, which may explain why a solid embrace feels so inherently good. What to Do if You Aren't Getting or Giving Enough Physical TouchLooking for some creative ways to get more physical touch into your life? Aside from the usual hugs and hand-holding, you can try getting a massage, dancing 'cheek-to-cheek,' getting a manicure or pedicure, or even petting an animal. No matter how you do it, the power of touch can have an incredibly powerful influence on your life. 'Most people need some form of physical affection or simply attention. When we do not get this physical closeness it often magnifies our sense of being alone or feeling not supported,' says Hale Dwoskin, CEO and director of training of Sedona Training Associates. “If you find you're feeling this way, the first thing to do is to let go of the feeling of needing physical touch or attention,” he continues. “As you let go of the feeling of need you're much more likely to be open to giving and receiving physical love and attention.” On the other hand, it’s also possible to feel a resistance to touching or being touched. 'If you are feeling resistance, remember this too is just a feeling that you can let go of if you choose,' Dwoskin says. If you are resistant to touch, The Sedona Method will show you how to let go of the resistance. For those who are missing touch, The Sedona Method is a simple process to help you release this feeling of need. “It is important to keep releasing on both the need for physical touch and the resistance to it until you feel okay either way,” Dwoskin says. “Once you feel okay either way, you're then free to give and receive -- or not give and receive -- physical attention, as appropriate.” “This way you feel whole and complete within yourself whether or not you're giving or receiving touch,” he continues. “You're simply OK as you are. And when you're OK as you are, you’re most likely to come into balance with physical touch.”
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