I Found That Story Very "Touching"

MentalHelp independently researches, tests, and reviews products and services which may benefit our readers. Where indicated by “Medically Reviewed by”, Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. If you buy something through our links, or engage with a provider, we may earn a commission.
Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D. was in private practice for more than thirty years. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states ...Read More

If you think about it there are many idiomatic references to the word “touch.” As in the title above, we may find a romantic story very “touching.” He or she “Touched my heart.” “I embraced her ideas,” “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine.” “That was a real pat on the back from my boss.”

In fact, there are many non verbal expressions of touch in many aspects of our daily lives. If you watch football, baseball and football, you can see players express their emotions through touch. In a successful scoring play, they will bump chests, slap the behind of the player who had a successful play, give high fives to one another and even embrace at the end of a game.

Ad

We meet and greet and part from each other by shaking hands, kissing or hugging, depending on the kind of relationship we have with the others. Good friends may embrace and kiss. Men in the United States are more likely to shake hands. In France and other nations, men greet by kissing each side of the cheek. Here, in the United States, I have one friend, with a strong European background, who makes a point of kissing each side of my cheek upon greeting and parting.

I always had a certain number of patients who complained that they could not remember their mom hugging or touching them. Of course, they admitted that during infancy they probably were touched. On one occasion, a patient expressed frustration and loneliness that no one ever touches them and they need that physical contact.

Therapists are Standing By to Treat Your Depression, Anxiety or Other Mental Health Needs

Explore Your Options Today

Ad

In the Positive Psychology News Daily, writer Kathryn Britton wrote an article entitled, “Touch and Trust” in which she reports on research that shows the importance of touching in our lives. Touching, hugging, hand shaking, kissing and other examples of tactile human contact, all express warmth, trust, affection and an endless variety of positive emotions, more than words could ever do. The impact is shown in performance

1. Team players who touch, as described above, perform better the more frequently they engage in this behavior.

2. Married and other intimate couples feel closer and more assured if they frequently touch. Many people give a warm embrace before leaving for work. We hug our children as they leave for school. A husband may rub his wife’s feet. Some people rub soap onto their partner’s back in the bath tub.

3. There is research that shows that touching reduces blood pressure.

4. Studies show that waiters or waitresses who give a light pat on the shoulder receive higher tips. I have noticed this myself. I have also noticed that I have a very positive reaction to that minor contact.

5. When stressed, touch has a calming effect, more than all the verbal expressions in the world.

You can find more information on the importance of touching at this URL: http://positivepsychology.com

You can also find the article on witch this is based

This is called positive psychology because you can learn to incorporate these behaviors into your daily life even if you are not accustomed to it. The fact is that, as human beings, we need touch. It helps us feel better in endless number of ways. Try it, you will like it. Hug your children, wife or husband, shake hands with that neighbor or stranger you are meeting, etc.

What are your experiences with touch, whether its having it or not? Can you describe how the experiences or lack of experience have helped or hurt you?

Your comments are strongly welcomed.

Allan N. Schwartz, PhD

 
 

Keep Reading By Author Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D.
Read In Order Of Posting