What is touch deprivation and why is it important?
From a handshake to a hug, there’s something special about physical contact. That’s because your skin is powerful and sends messages to your brain to release oxytocin – also known as the ‘love hormone’ when you receive positive physical contact.
Touch deprivation, also known as touch starvation or skin hunger, is when you don’t get enough physical contact. This can have some negative effects, which you want to try to avoid. Carry on reading our guide to touch deprivation to discover exactly what it is, what it does and how to avoid its negative effects.
What exactly is touch deprivation, and how does it affect human behaviour?
To be touch starved is to have not enough physical human skin-to-skin contact. This means you have very little or no human touch at all. Some of the symptoms can of touch starvation can include:
- Loneliness
- Feelings of depression
- Low satisfaction
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Fatigue or difficulty sleeping
Why is positive touch so important?
Because a lack of positive touch can cause so many negative effects, it’s important that you make time and space for it. When you experience positive human touch, your brain releases oxytocin, which helps you to create bonds, while lowering anxiety and fear. The effects of skin-to-skin contact begins from birth and carries on throughout your life.
If you’re experiencing touch deprivation, or skin hunger, you can become stressed or anxious. This kind of stress makes your body release a hormone called cortisol. When this happens, your heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension and breathing rate can increase. All together these can negatively affect your immune system and even your digestion.
Is human touch limited to sensual touch?
The great news is that positive human touch is not just limited to sensual touch. Any positive physical contact is enough to leave you feeling better. So, even if you’re not in a romantic relationship, you can still get some of that feel good hormone through human touch with your family, friends and even colleagues.
What if I don’t like physical contact?
We’re all different and not everyone will enjoy physical human touch. Even if you don’t enjoy physical contact, that doesn’t mean you won’t suffer from touch deprivation. It also doesn’t mean that there’s nothing you can do to enjoy the power of touch. Here are a few ways you can enjoy skin-to-skin benefits without too much physical contact:
- Swap hugs for handshakes: Even a warm handshake can have a positive effect on you.
- Get your nails done: This doesn’t involve too much physical contact and can still help you to feel less touch starved.
- Get your hair done: Like getting your nails done, this level of human touch can also be beneficial.
- Hug your pet: Cuddling a pet and having animal companionship can help to reduce distress and loneliness.
- Massage yourself: If you don’t like other people massaging you, you can try to massage your own neck, which may help to reduce stress.
- Try a weighted blanket: Getting wrapped up in a blanket, or using a weighted blanket, can mimic the experience of a hug. This may help you to feel peaceful and calm.
What products can help to keep your skin healthy and you confident for skin-to-skin contact?
Because your skin is powerful, you’ll want to keep it as healthy as it can be so that you can make the most of human touch. We have a range of products that respect your skin and help to keep it performing at its healthy best.
Sanex Expert Skin Health Hypoallergenic Shower Gel
This is a great product with a soap and sulphate free formula that minimises the risk of skin irritation, while being kind to skin. The formula contains a prebiotic and postbiotic complex that targets the bad bacteria on your skin, while nourishing the good to help keep it healthy. It’s also been dermatologically tested and respects your skin’s natural pH.
Sanex Expert Skin Health Pro Hydrate Shower Gel
If you have a very dry skin type, this is the shower cream for you. It’s been expertly developed to protect your skin’s natural barrier and its natural hydration. It’s also been formulated with a prebiotic and postbiotic complex to support your skin’s microbiome, helping to keep it healthy.
Sanex Zero% Kids Head to Toe Wash
Our paediatrician approved kids’ body wash has been specially developed to care for your little one’s delicate skin. It’s been made with a 99% biodegradable formula and is free from fragrance, sulphates, colourants and soap. It also contains moisturisers of natural origin to help your little one’s skin feel soft and smooth.
