A high five hands on yours, a hug from a family member…we have
recognized the therapeutic healing power associated with feel and touch for a
long time now. Yet research has shown that even small expressions, little
touches, as well as physical contact between individuals, leads to surprisingly
good behavioral adjustments.
In one study conducted with Brigham Young University, research
workers trained partners to keep them self updated on one another’s feeling by
means of nonsexual touch of the neck, shoulders as well as hands. They
discovered that couples which practiced this kind of contact acquired higher
levels of oxytocin, the hormone which boosts the sensation regarding binding as
well as wellbeing, and resulting in a lowered level of apha ayylase, a tension
signal stress indicator, than partners who had not receive the instructive
training.
This past year the New York Times reported that students
who obtained any supportive touch such as a mild pat on the shoulder from a
teacher have been about twice as prone to volunteer in class as those who did
not…and that the same type touch from a physician made patients think that
their physician's check-up had lasted twice as long as those that had not
received the physical contact.
And also consider the high five or closed fists bumps? In a
study from University of California-Berkley scientists discovered that National
Basketball Association teams whose players had good positive tactile contact
performed far greater than teams that did not.
These studies concluded that physical contact appeared to
encourage cooperation…ease stress…and create a cozy as well as trusting
environment.
Living the Therapeutic Touch: Healing as a Lifestyle instructional
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