Physical touch is vital for a healthy sense of well being.
We all know this. We’ve heard the research and read the studies. But few of us really understand the impact of this fact.
Physical touch is important in most of our relationships. This is why athletes ‘high five’, little girls hold hands, and father’s pat their sons on the back. We need touch. We crave it.
#1: Why We Hold Hands #2: Fighting Off Loneliness with Touch #3: The Beauty of Touch #4: A Doctor’s Touch #5: The Power of Touch
“It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.” ― John Joseph Powell, The Secret of Staying in Love
We’ve talked about kissing, holding hands, and how important physical connection is in building intimacy.
Video #1: Why we hold hands: Dr. James Cloan at TEDxCharlottesville 2013
Dr. James Coan, Professor of Clinical Psychology at University of Virginia shares the story of working with a veteran who made it through his sessions by holding the hand of his wife.
He follows up with a study he conducted putting subjects in an MRI scan and telling them they had a 20% chance of being shocked with an electronic device. He used three groups of people. Group 1 comprised people who were by themselves. Group 2 were people holding hand with a stranger. Group 3 were people holding hands with someone they loved.
The results were amazing.
Video #2: Fighting off loneliness with touch: Helena Backlund Wasling at TEDxGotegorg
Helena Backlund Wasling and her team or researchers has mapped how a soft touch activates the parts of the brain that controls our emotions.
In this TEDx talk she describes how touch helped a woman giving birth during labor pains.
Video #3: The Beauty of Touch: Patrick McIvor at TEDxLehighRiver
Patrick Mclvor is a hairdresser who has experimented with the power of touch with his clients.
He shares insights, observations and perspectives on the need for physical touch.
Video #4: A Doctor’s Touch: Abraham Verghese at TED Global
Dr. Abraham Verghese is a medical physician. He challenges the traditional role of caring for patients, which is disconnected, without compassion, and a merely data driven.
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He makes a case for touch, talk and heart to heart communication in the medical field. His belief is that when we connect with our patients, we help them heal.
Video #5: The power of touch: Tzipi Strauss at TEDxTelAviv University
Dr. Tzipi Strauss shares her story about the birth of her son. She connects this experience to the need and power of touch.
Her team has implemented new technologies and procedures to enhance their care for patients with physical touch.
Wrapping It Up
You might not agree with every detail of these talks, but they all make the point human touch is powerful. Not only that, but we all need touch in our lives to a develop positive, healthy sense of well being.
How can you put some of these idea’s into play in your life?
I’d love to hear.
Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.
If these videos are helpful to you, click the share buttons below and share with your friends.
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Joseph is the Editor and Creator of The Healthy Marriage site. A graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, AL with a major in Counseling and Biblical Studies. He is a certified facilitator with Prepare & Enrich.
