Touch Hunger
How to deal with touch deprivation
For all beings during this last year we have had to get used to not seeing as many of our loved ones, also not giving or receiving as much touch and receiving the message that the best thing we can do is keep away from everyone! For many of us this has been hard, especially those that have been living alone/feel more energy from being around others/are empaths or sensitive beings. Of course the internet and all the amazing tools we have to stay connected has been crucial, but it can’t replace touch. We probably didn’t even realise the amount of natural touch we received before in our interactions, taking it for granted even, a gentle tap on your arm from even a distant friend seems soothing right now.
Did you know when you receive touch, love and affection, oxytocin (a neurochemical responsible for building relationship) is released in your brain, this supports you in feeling connected, safe and loved and it can lessen anxiety and pain. I imagine at this time we are all a bit low on the neurochemical oxytocin, so symptoms can look like feeling alienated from other brings, a lack of bond with a community and finding it difficult to share appreciation and gratitude.
A way to boost oxytocin levels is through touch and hugging someone, here is how I have been coping with self-care to soothe touch hunger in lockdown.
Hugging trees
Okay you might feel a bit silly, but seriously trees have seen a lot more sh** that we have (literally), they are living, wise and ancient beings, that can support us to feel rooted and connected to the earth. This can also soothe our root chakra, which is the energy centre associated with security and survival (quite big topics that feel shakey at this time). Also it can soothe with feeling love, touch and releasing oxytocin.
If you think I am making this up, try it! Also this is essentially part of forest bathing, a huge movement in Japan where its actually prescribed to lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety and stress.
Wearing cuddly jumpers that feel soft on your skin
This always feels nice to wear softy, comfy clothes to feel soothed and cuddled, it also supports activating your touch receptors with different textures. Try stroking a fluffy cushion, wearing a cosy jumper, wearing yummy Brighton Lace underwear, even the texture of plants! Yes stroking plants, I see ways to feel soothed and I am sharing them as we all know at this time we need some support.
Gentle squidy self-care
Putting flowers by my bed, as an act of love and self care and plus you wake up and the room smells amazing, perhaps not so good if you suffer from allergies or hay fever though. These are my fav flowers called hyacinth. Simply finding gentle ways to be caring and gentle on yourself, maybe its adjusting your schedule slightly, or having a bath with a few drops of lavender in, or self-massage to your feet. All of this will support relaxation and care of the self.
Using colour as a self-healing tool
Maybe its painting your nails a really bright colour, picking out clothes with colours you feel attracted too, or doodling or colouring in, using plain paper of a colouring book. Using colours can soothe as it is allowing us to feel creative and play. Colour also carries vibration and can provide healing as it can nourish our chakra points (7 energy centres of the body that are thought to be connected to a colour). Did you know the colour blue is connected to your throat chakra, where we find our voice and speak up for what supports us, it also is connected to our thyroid and immune response. Apparently just looking at the colour blue can release oxytocin! You can also simply try imagining a colour being wrapped around you and feeling nurtured and safe, this is a simple visualisation tool.
Exercise
As it increases oxytocin! Exercise can look like trampolining for 10 mins, listening to your fav music and dancing around the house. Pick something that you enjoy!
Supplements
Caps moodoo from Ringana can improve mental resilience and provide greater serenity, which is ideal for restoring emotional balance if you’re battling with the autumn and winter blues or PMS. An extract of ashwagandha root promotes physical and mental relaxation processes and helps you to find peace.
Meditation
Whether its holding or looking at a crystal, being out and finding peace in nature, or seated/standing meditations, this can soothe to find peace within our mind. My fav is a simple body scan, where you can go through each part of the body and checking in how it feels and making sure it is relaxed, like turning a light on in each part. Some people find writing down their worries can support removing yourself from the stressor, remembering the bigger picture and also connecting to others going through the same suffering can also support.
Receiving healing
Failing all that if your really blue and down in the dumpsters, reach out as I am offering distant healing at this time. It is incredibly powerful to receive a flood of light energy in the body, blasting out the cobwebs and providing fresh energy in areas that feel stagnant. This creates peacefulness and feeling more yourself. I am also delivering Bowen technique at this time and hot stone massage as urgent treatments for those that feel they are struggling with physical pain and/or emotional discomfort.
To conclude
If you are lucky enough to have a pet that likes to be touched then yeay for cuddles with them. I don’t have a partner at current, or a pet, but I do hug plants, trees and teddies.
