From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
Stay ‘In Touch’.
In 1976, Doctors at the University of Miami ran an experiment in which they took two groups of premature babies. One group was treated in the normal, super technical, super hygienic way and the other group was treated similarly except they had “tactile stimulation” three times a day.( In other words, they ere touched a lot!) The results were dramatic.
Although fed on demand with the same formula, the touched babies gained 47% more weight every day then the control group; they were more alert and started to act like normally delivered babies sooner. They also left hospital a week sooner than the control group. The only difference between the two was the amount of touching given to the babies.
Touch is the cheapest wellness tonic we have. Research from the Baylor College Of Medicine shows that children who are rarely touched have brains that are 20% - 30% smaller than normal for their age. So the health benefits of touch are not just some 'new age' hippie concept.
Apart from the findings I've mentioned, simple touch boosts the functioning of the immune system and negates the effect of stress chemicals. It eliminates the muscle tension that builds up. It soothes jaded nerves. It helps us breathe freely again. And it restores a sense of connection to others. And that's only a few of the benefits.
What a shame these results aren’t publicised more widely. There is a growing scientific basis for the belief that love, caring and touching are fundamental for human wellness. I feel sad for babies (and grown ups) who are unloved and un-hugged - they are biologically disadvantaged for the rest of their lives.
A interesting feature on how children's brains develop in February 1997 Time magazine highlighted the need to look at early child care facilities and the amount of not only mental stimulation offered, but also physical - as in touch, hugging and affection.
Many other studies indicate the importance of touch for our health. Having a pet to stroke , lowers the blood pressure of the person doing the stroking. (Don’t know about the cat or dog!). Doctors sometimes recommend that people recovering from heart attacks buy a pet and make time to pat the pet as part of their treatment!
If you accept that the body stores stress, and that we may not be aware of this happening , one of the easiest and most pleasant things to do to eliminate that stress is to have a massage once a week. Choose whatever sort of massage you like (if you are in a long term relationship best you don't choose from the personal columns!) and make a commitment to yourself to have one once a week. "Eeek" I hear you cry! "I can’t afford that. I don’t have time. I only do that when I want to pamper myself." WRONG!
Massage should no longer be considered a luxury or pampering. It’s essential for your wellness and this is verified if we look at the growing body of research on the bodymind.
Make the time, and plan your budget to save massage money, so you can have one as often as possible. Aromatherapy, shiatsu, lymphatic, reflexology, swedish or any other sort of massage is good for you and busts stress.
Go to classes and learn how to massage. Then find a friend or your partner and practice on them - build your relationship while you are boosting your immune system. Of course, they have to reciprocate! Although you are boosting your immune system even if they don't.
Touch your children a lot if you don’t already. They shrivel up and whither without it. If you are not a ‘touchy’ person it may be because your parents didn’t touch each other much, or touch you much and so you grew up learning from a model where touching was taboo.
Or touching has other more unpleasant childhood implications for you. In either case, do whatever you have to do to get over it. If you don’t touch or like being touched, then you are likely to be sick more often than those who do like it.
Hold hands more often. It strengthens your relationship and feelings of connection (also crucial for a healthy immune system). In many European countries, the culture encourages people to walk down the street arm in arm - whether they are romantically linked or not. Perhaps we should promote these habits in our culture?
When you come in the door at night, do you greet your partner (if there is one there) with a peck on the cheek and then spend 5 minutes patting and hugging the dog or cat? Not only does this make the person feel less important than the animal, but it also deprives both of you from a great opportunity to communicate AND boost your immune system.
An alternative, simple, and cheap way to boost your health and improve your relationship is to give the person a seven second kiss and hug when you walk in the door! Most people blanch when I say this and squeak “how long?”! Seven seconds isn’t that long....and fellas, you don’t need to be watching their clocks behind your partner’s head! You’ll be surprised at the beneficial chemical and personal results of this new form of wellness therapy.
Hugs are great for your physiology - a hug will actually change the chemical make up of your body. As long as you are fond of the person hugging you, your body will fill up with endorphins and you’ll reduce the amount of nasty stress chemicals spreading their chaos. So put this paper down and give someone a hug!
