There are many studies on the benefits of physical contact and almost all have come to the same conclusion: touch holds several secrets related to well-being, so it is no coincidence that this meaning develops more at birth.
Unfortunately, we are in a society, especially in big cities, which invites us not to touch, any contact becomes suspicious or irritating. We want to connect with others through an electronic device, remotely.
- Gradually.
- We lose the precious benefits of physical contact and yet we wonder why there is so much psychological suffering in the world.
“Caress falls asleep and takes us to a region closer to earth, its silence and its dream, well delineated, happy. “Jorge Guillén?
The skin is literally an extension of the nervous system. As a result, tactile perceptions translate almost automatically into physiological states of the brain. Skin-to-skin contact affects our well-being and is a valuable source of mental health.
Science has shown that a tender touch causes the skin to send a signal to the brain, whose main effect is the reduction of the production of cortisol, the stress hormone, which in turn increases the production of lymphocytes, which are the first line of defense of the immune system.
In addition, it has been discovered that another benefit of physical contact is increased production of Serotonin, Dopamine and Oxytocin, all of these hormones playing an important role in the feeling of well-being.
In a study of women suffering from migraines, some of them received a simple massage and all those who have had access to this physical contact have experienced a decrease in pain.
In another study, an electric shock was applied to some volunteers and the women who took her husband’s hand felt the discharge less rigorously.
Dr. Nicols Gueguen, of the University of Southern Brittany, has studied in detail the benefits of physical contact and through his experiences was able to demonstrate that a subtle touch on the arm greatly increases the chances of one person accepting the other’s requests. .
It has been proven, for example, that waitresses receive a better tip in restaurants when they make physical contact with customers. It was called the Midas button.
Similarly, another study found that people were more willing to give a cigarette to those who asked for it when they received a soft touch on their arm.
Another study suggested a fake street poll, the results indicated that only 40% of passersby wanted to respond in the absence of physical contact, while when a subtle touch was introduced, the percentage increased to 70%.
Other research has shown that physical contact activates the area of the cerebral cortex, this region has to do with feelings of conformity and confidence, based on these results it was concluded that those who relate to others through touch are perceived as more honest and reliable people.
One experiment proved the value of physical contact in another way: the researchers deliberately left piles of garbage strewn across the street. Someone asked pass-by to help him pick up the trash. 63% agreed to provide assistance. However, when a contact gesture was introduced, the ratio increased to 93%.
People have more sympathy for those who come into physical contact with them. In France, users rated sellers better who gave them a hand or pat on the shoulder than those who didn’t. Clearly, cultural variables can change these results.
Sex therapist Javier Sánchez has studied the benefits of physical contact with himself. He concluded that there were strong bans, especially for girls, on touching their genitals. It affects adult life: many feel that their own sexuality is not theirs.
In the case of men, many families repress and even punish tactile manifestations of affection, often encouraged to be hard not to feel what affects their skin, otherwise they will be classified as fragile and not manly, so many men find it difficult to caress themselves.
As we have seen, the benefits of physical contact are so great that even caresses have positive effects. Primates, which have a less developed brain than ours, spend 20% of their time touching each other.
In light of all this, we can start thinking and wondering: do we know how to communicate through touch?