Touch is a fundamental part of being human and crucial to our physical, emotional, and social well-being. From the moment we are born, touch is how we connect with the world, learn about our environment, develop our sense of self, and build social relationships. In my work with families, especially through Theraplay®, touch is an essential therapeutic tool. Here are just a few ways that touch contributes to human development and well-being across the lifespan.
Physical Development
Skin-to-skin contact promotes healthy growth and development in newborns and helps them regulate their body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. Through touch, infants learn to coordinate their movements and develop their motor skills. As children grow older, touch continues to play a vital role in their physical development, helping them learn to balance, move, and explore their environment.
Emotional Development
Human touch releases a hormone called oxytocin, which is associated with feelings of trust, relaxation, and well-being. Through touch, we learn to connect with others and develop empathy, compassion, and emotional regulation. Touch also helps us feel safe and secure, reducing feelings of anxiety and stress.
Social Development
Our earliest bonds of attachment are formed through touch, whether that’s a parent comforting a crying child, or friends hugging each other after a long time apart. Touch helps us build trust and intimacy with others, strengthens social bonds, and is a key element of nonverbal communication, conveying a range of emotions and intentions.
Therapeutic Benefits
Touch can also be used as therapy to promote healing and well-being and help clients connect with their emotions and improve their self-awareness at any age. Massage, for example, can reduce stress, improve mood, and relieve pain. Therapeutic touch, such as in reiki or healing touch, can also promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
While touch is very important to well-being, it can also create complicated feelings for many people. You may have had unsettling or inappropriate experiences with touch, only want to be touched in certain ways, or not like to be touched at all. These feelings can make it more difficult for parents to provide appropriate care, including touch, for their children. But there are ways to explore the importance of touch in a safe environment and learn more about its impact on your health and relationships.
Please reach out if this topic resonates with you so we can work together to help you address issues related to human touch.
Comentarios