8 Reasons Why We Can’t Live Without Physical Contact

Human beings seem to have forgotten the importance of communicating through touch. Of course we still hug and kiss, but new technologies have changed the way we relate. People have the impression that they are more connected, but this is false: an electronic device screen will never replace a handshake or a pat on the back. This reality is quite worrying, since touch was the first sense we used to communicate and it is precisely what we most need to improve these days.

O awesome.club knows that physical contact is crucial for our well-being, so we bring you some reasons that show why we should all think more about it.

Physical contact is part of the way we were “created” to communicate. It is the first sense we use and can be considered our first language. Just ask mothers how sometimes touching a pregnant belly encourages a baby to kick.

Non-verbal communication is essential for people to understand each other. However, recent studies have proven that we can interpret emotions in many non-verbal ways, and one of them is physical contact. We were born knowing how to “speak through touch” and using this language not only allows us to express more than one emotion at the same time (such as gratitude, pride and satisfaction), but also makes the message we want to convey clearer.

Physical contact in a relationship is very important for emotions to be communicated. In addition, it awakens some sensations, including satisfaction, happiness, security and belonging. In this sense, the lasso can get very strong. Scientists have noticed that some couples only need to hold hands to synchronize their brain waves and breathing.

Furthermore, physical contact is so powerful that it can induce biological effects in the mate. Touch releases oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, which makes you feel happier, more satisfied and in love.

According to recent research, even when all of a baby’s basic needs, such as food and rest, are met, if they are deprived of physical contact they may die. If the father, mother or any other adult does not hug the baby for some time, development and mental health can be seriously affected. This proves that physical contact is vital for human beings.

Scientists know that physical contact is important for a child’s mental and emotional development. Some believe that our need to connect is related to our need to love. It would therefore be a tool that we developed during evolution to stay alive.

As we are social animals, our basic needs also demand physical contact. Most social interactions always involve some form of physical contact, such as a pat on the back, a hug, or a kiss, depending on the culture. These acts help create a relationship of trust. That’s why loneliness isn’t just considered a lack of social interaction, it’s also a lack of physical contact.

Touch helps to awaken awareness of our physical and personal limits. When someone crosses these boundaries, the sense of familiarity that connects us with our friends and companions is even stronger.

Nowadays, there are many alternative medical treatments that, in addition to being cheap, include a very interesting aspect: touch. We are mainly talking about acupuncture and chiropractic.

Touch has always been used in Chinese and Indian cultures, for example, as a form of healing. Today, medical studies are beginning to prove just how powerful these methods are. There are 2 good examples: the first is a study that shows how touch can relieve pain in cancer cases; the second is research on how touch reduces anxiety in patients with dementia.

When we are touched, the brain releases oxytocin, which is why we feel a sense of happiness. This dynamic causes a decrease in blood pressure and also causes a decrease in the level of noradrenaline, a hormone that influences mood. This increases the feeling of calm and contentment. In this sense, people who interact more frequently through physical contact have higher levels of oxytocin and, therefore, of well-being.

Of all the senses, touch is the one that feels most real to us. It is a direct way of feeling and understanding everything around us. When we doubt the things that are happening or even our senses, we almost always resort to touch, because it shows us the reality of everything.

Physical contact gives us more confidence to perceive the reality of our surroundings, in addition to increasing confidence in ourselves and in our social relationships.

A study revealed that the probability that a person will help another is greater when the request is accompanied by a touch. Another study showed that waiters who tap customers on the shoulder tend to receive more generous tips.

This is because touch can be used as a sign of greater sincerity and trust. So the next time you need help, or if you’re closing a contract, try to politely touch the other person. Physical contact can be the missing piece for convincing.

Where do you think technology will take us? Do you think this is a path of no return? How do you handle physical contact? Share your reflections in the comments.