Touch is a primary way for humans to show and express compassion. It doesn't matter how light it is or how absent-minded it seems, touch is our way of showing compassion. It could be an innocent pat on the back, a caress of the arm, hand on the shoulder, or something more, like a hug or handholding.
Years of study and research have revealed just how important the act of touch is. It is a fundamental gesture of human bonding, communication, and health. There are many benefits of touch from physical to emotional.
Michelangelo said that ‘to touch can be to give life.' There is truth in that statement. Historically, a huge number of children in orphanages where caretakers didn't touch them have not grown to their expected height or weight and they have shown behavioral problems too.
A study on rats even showed that babies whose mothers licked and groomed them a lot as babies grew up to be calmer, more resilient, and with stronger immune systems. Touch activates the part of the brain that is linked to feelings of reward and compassion.
Touch usually signals trust. It is soothing and can calm you down when you are experiencing feelings of stress, agitation, frustration, sadness, or anger. That's why we have touch therapy or massage therapy which is not only relaxing to muscles but also mental health.
You don't have to touch or be touched with the hands. Sometimes you feel that someone or something has touched your heart or soul. They don't usually do that with their hands. It could be with deep meaningful words, actions, or gifts for you.
We all crave touch and it's important to us because it makes us thrive. Here is a collection of touch quotes for when you are touchy or when someone has touched your very soul.