The Symptoms of Touch Deprivation: From Creativity to Socializing
Do you remember the first time you saw snow or touched a starfish? The experience probably left you speechless. Touch is so much more than just a sense; it’s an essential part of who we are as people—not just as human beings, but also as social creatures. Unfortunately, our touch-deprived society has led to increasing isolation among many individuals, especially older adults and young adults who have begun to live with roommates instead of spouses or partners. This can result in touch depravation that can be detrimental to our health—both mentally and physically. In this blog post, we explore the symptoms of touch depravation, its effects on the mind and body, and how you can reestablish a healthy level of physical contact in your life.
The Importance of Touch
As we’ve discussed, touch is not just a sense; it’s a feeling. It’s a powerful way to communicate and connect with the people in your life.
We understand the importance of touch from an early age; babies who are not held enough don’t thrive as well as those who are held a lot.
Touch has been said to be the gateway to the soul—and for good reason. It’s the method through which we experience the most emotion.
Even a simple pat on the back can go long ways in the healing process.
Touch can even improve the quality of your sleep, which is a vital part of healthy living.
The Effects of Touch Deprivation
As we’ve discussed, touch is a powerful sense that can go a long way in helping us heal, grow, and feel connected to people. If a person is touch deprived, they may struggle with a number of consequences, including:
A lack of creativity: Creativity is a highly social activity. When we’re around others, we’re more likely to be creative, whereas being alone can result in feelings of depression and anxiety. When we don’t get enough touch, we may become even more isolated and less creative in the long run.
An inability to connect with others: It can be easy to misunderstand another person if we’re not being shown affection through touch. Many people with low levels of touch are especially prone to misinterpreting others’ actions as malicious when they were merely careless or ignorant.
Increased feelings of anxiety: Sometimes it can be easy to forget that humans need to be social creatures. With touch deprivation, it can be easy to feel like an outcast, leading to anxiety issues.
Increased craving for sex: Sometimes, the need for meaningful touch can be misinterpreted to be a need for sex. However, the need for touch isn’t satisfied by sex, because the craving doesn’t go away. Sex only leaves you wanting more. You will find that meaningful touch feels more satisfying.
A weakened immune system: It’s not uncommon for people to become sicker during times of high stress, which can be a product of an overactive mind. When we don’t get enough touch—either in a one-on-one or group setting—our mind has a tendency to overthink and become stressed, which can weaken our immune system.
3 Ways to Combat Touch Deprivation
Even if you’re currently touch-deprived, there are a few things you can do to start re-establishing a healthy level of touch in your life:
Open Yourself up to Receiving Touch - It can be easy to avoid touch if you’re currently dealing with any kind of mental health issue. However, it’s important to remember that receiving touch can actually help you feel better.
Start Giving Touch Yourself - If you’ve been turned off to the idea of receiving touch, it can be a good rule of thumb to start giving touch yourself. This can help you to re-establish the idea that touch is a good thing.
Remember that Touch is a Two-Way Street - Touch is a two-way street; it’s rarely something that one person does to another. It’s a mutual experience that can be a powerful tool for good in your life.