21/02/2026
Touch - The first sense to develop in humans at around 8 weeks in utero.
Margaret Atwood said it beautifully “Touch comes before sight, before speech. It is the first language and the last, and it always tells the truth.
Touch deprivation has number of unpleasant effects; depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and behaviours, increased cortisol levels, inability to handle stressful situations, diminished immune system functioning and cognitive delays.
Positive touch promotes the release of dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin which in turn create feelings of happiness, satisfaction, general well-being and motivation.
Over years of doing body and energy work I have noticed the many benefits of human touch.
I once had a woman tell me during her treatment, ‘When you’re a baby everyone wants to touch you, you are small and cute and pure, you smell good, your skin feels good, but then you get old and wrinkly and no one wants to touch you anymore, thats why I come for my massages”. Hearing this broke my heart, I know exactly what she meant. After working many years in aged care, you see people dying around you, generally alone. The comfort that the residents took in having someone sit with them at this time, simply holding their hand or touching their arm was so powerful. Even in the final seconds of life, touch can still be felt.
Human touch is deeply engrained into our blueprint, a core part of what it is to be human. It is essential to our wellbeing.
Some simple examples of positive touch include:
~ Cuddling
~ Holding hands
~ Any reassuring touch
~ A teaching touch
~ Massage
~ Sitting close to someone on the couch
~ Playing with someones hair
~ Foot rubs
~ Patting someone on the back
Do you remember that last time you were touched? How did it feel? Did it bring up certain emotions? What was the quality of the touch?
Rach x
