I recall when I was in hospital we were lectured about the importance of the human touch. In a recent post somewhere here someone stated how it had been a very long time since they had been hugged.

I am curious if this really has a positive affect on us as people. What really happens to a person when there is NO physical contact with another human
being. Does that really affect your emotional and physcial and mental condition?

Can a simple caring hug make a difference in our outlook and mental stability? I'm not talking about any type of sexual touch! This is simply a nice big--it's going to be OK---hug!

Can the lack of human physical contact actually cause us harm?

When is the last time You had someone give you a big innocent hug?

Without sounding weird---how did that simple hug feel. What emotions did it evoke in you?

This is a question that has been floating around in my head for a long time. Just courious, that's all

I am not suppossed to be here - I have decided to take time out and have a break! I have been searching for alternatives to meds.......

Anyway, your thread - OMG!
Great thread!

I think that physical human interaction is so important - it is for me.

I am single (5months), and I miss being touched terribly. To feel strong arms around me cocooning me from the world for a brief moment. To feel the heat of another person. To feel and hear their heartbeat as though it is whispering sweet nothings to me and only me. I miss being hugged, I miss it!

Being hugged by a close friend is good and warm and loving, but it does not feel the same or have the same effect as a true loved one!

When I am hugged I feel:

I feel loved! I feel important! I feel wanted! I feel needed! I feel safe! I feel alive! I feel I exist! I feel lovable! I feel worhty! I feel connected! I feel everytihng will be Okay!........I just feel and that is so important!

Yes, I feel it is detrimental not to be hugged or shown a physical response in terms of how we feel about another person. I practiced hugging my son from the moment he was born as I was not! I knew I had to get used to the sensation so that I could make him feel connected. It is a gift to be able to touch another in a gentle and loving manner.

Spirit (hugging all of you with much love and warmth ) x

For me, it depends on who is doing the touching/hugging. If it is someone I care about and trust, then a hug means the world when I need one. I'm not a touchy/feely person so I don't crave human touch a lot. If I'm stressed out though, and my husband hugs me at just the right time, it can be very calming. A lot of times, if my husband rubs my arm or leg as I'm having a panic attack, his touch will help ground me.

I do believe that the human touch can be healing for the soul, unfortunately, so many things keep us from having that sort of interaction with other human beings: judging by society, trust, disease, fear, etc...etc...

I once had a T tell me that she thought that some of my issues came from not being held enough as an infant. Well, my mother is no saint, but one thing is certain: she DID hold me when I was a baby.

While I sometimes get nervous with touch, especially from a man, I recognize that I do need it. I've never been good with touching people; after the trauma, I sort of had to re-learn how to give a simple hug. My lack of physical affection, (and I'm not talking about sexual or anything), has been a complaint of many of the guys I've dated. Regardless of someone's past, I do believe that touch is important, as it connects us to our fellow human being.

Interesting question Herc.

Personally, I really don't care for much touch. I don't notice at all that I don't get hugs, but I sure do notice when I do! What touch I get is from my children, dog and family and that's more than enough for me.

I personally hate hugs from anyone other than that. I think way too many people are too huggy. I just want them to get the hell off of me.

I think the whole positive/negative influence is very unique to each person. It's more negative in my eyes unless it's someone in my close family or that I am intimate with. Someone else may find it very positive.

Humans need to be socialized; mentally, emotionally, & physically from birth. However our needs lessen as we mature. How much that lessens would depend on each persons experiences.

Really, way I see it is, if it doesn't bother you than what is the issue?

bec

There is medical evidence to support that a hug releases some chemicals in the body which have a positive effect. I read it somewhere recently.

Medical results from a study on the benefits of a hug:

The study showed hugs increased levels of oxytocin, a "bonding" hormone, and reduced blood pressure - which cuts the risk of heart disease.

But, writing in the Psychosomatic Medicine, the researchers said women recorded greater reductions in blood pressure than men after their hugs.

Both men and women were seen to have higher levels of oxytocin after the hug.

People in loving relationships were found to have higher levels of the hormone than others.

But the study also found all women had reduced levels of cortisol (stress hormone) following the hug, as well as reporting the blood pressure benefits.

Consensual touch is healing for me. Massage, hugging, cuddling...all are healing. Sex is best of all!

I love touching. I crave the feeling of my husband holding me. Luckily, I also have cats who just show up and demand to be loved on. When they have had their fill, they get up and leave. I can get myself in trouble because I touch people while we are having a conversation, and that is uncomfortable to some people. I will hug anyone. I will pet any animal and I prefer animals to people sometimes.

How important is touch? -- We can die without it. I recently read A General Theory of Love, by Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini, and Richard Lannon. This book both blew my mind and confirmed things I've known in my bones for a long time.

We've all experienced so many different kinds of touch, haven't we...and when it's good there's nothing in the world but heart. I was hugged by a mentor when I was seventeen and feeling tarred with shame.

It was a completely ... selfless embrace, gentle yet containing; confirming. I had never before been held like that.

Must go ... dinner ...

Herc, thank you for that marvelous question