How does touch affect our mental and physical health? | DW Documentary

Touch shapes us as humans. Indeed, touch is fundamental to what makes us social beings. Touch influences how we perceive stress and pain, who we trust and who we fear. How does this work? And what happens to us in the absence of touch?

Gentle touch is vital for us humans. It creates the first contact with the world for newborns, giving us a sense of security and belonging. Touch influences our immune system, and on our feelings for our fellow human beings. Especially strong feelings, such as love or compassion, can be better conveyed through touch than through words, facial expressions or gestures.

Given how important touch is, it’s no surprise that humans have a highly specialized system devoted exclusively to perceiving gentle touch stimuli. Why does the touch of a stranger feel so different to that of someone we are emotionally close to? What is happening in our brain - and what role does the brain play in all this?

In an era of social distancing, touch research is becoming increasingly relevant. How does it affect us, and our relationships, when we are required to keep our distance? Researchers explore what role touch plays in our physical and emotional well-being, and what the consequences are when touch is missing.

#documentary #dwdocumentary #touch
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[jamesconner]

Once I was in hospital with a collapsed lung. The doctor was on my left side pushing a vacuum tube through my chest and between my ribs. The doctor's assistant was on my right side holding my hand and lightly stroking my forearm with her fingertips. All my pain and anxiety evaporated through her touch. It was absolutely amazing.

[milosricardo]

As someone who's touch deprived, socially awkward and staying away from family, this documentary hit me All I want is some physical affection....

[aikidomatrix]

from my own personal experience I can say that not being touched for 3 years has been a very lonely, depressive, sad journey. Yes, touch does matter.

[hoosierdaddy]

When my son was born he was premature about 6 weeks. The doctors were worried he had menagitus and they didn't allow us to touch him for 3 days and he hardly moved and wouldn't eat, etc. Once he was allowed to be held he came alive and started being much healthier. I am sure it's because he was touched by myself and my wife at the time. It does matter. He's now 28 and in his last year of medical school. ♥️🤘♥️

[danielswarovski]

As someone whose primary love language is physical touch, this documentary is immensely, tremendously validating.

[RS-mtjs]

My father is a cuddler, my mother not so much. In our family, us three siblings feel much closer to our father and will pour our heart out in front of him in times of trouble. I must mention here that our mother is equally loving but not so touchy feely. So yes, the Power of touch matters a lot.
And now that I am married, my husband who doesn't have a history of cuddling in his family loves the cuddling. He says it makes him forget all the worries. In times of COVID when we were newly married, and tensions about our health and our finances were bogging us down, just holding hands used to convey the msg that we are together in this and we will get through this. So not only children and elderly but us adults also require these. Especially in these difficult volatile times when war and disease has violated our peace of mind and has ripped it asunder.
Take care guys and express your love to people who matter to you.

[mayav]

My parents didn’t do hugs or physical touch. My mother still finds it weird and I don’t think I’ve ever hugged my dad. Luckily when I met my partner he taught me to first endure and then enjoy touch, even just holding hands was bizarre for me at the start. Now I hug my children every day and enjoy doing so.

[HiiImChris]

My Grandma passed away two weeks ago, she was 65 and it was an abrupt death. She was literally my second mom and I lived with her for 5 years and she was there for me since the day I was born. When I went to see her for the last time her eyes were glassy and all she could do is grunt but I held her hand and told her how much I loved her. Although she couldn't respond I have a feeling she was comfortable and knew she was very loved. She quite literally was the most innocent person I've ever seen in my entire life, she was a teacher for disabled kids, always donated every week to shelters and homeless, and always found all the simple things in life joyful. R.i.p grandma <3

[mychannelnotyours]

My patient passed away (he’s hospice) and he took his last breath before my eyes with family members around me crying and didn’t know what to do while I was there holding his hand and touching his shoulder and telling him it’s gonna be okay and that we love him.

The following day my unit manager told me that the family members gave me a positive review and that I was the best Nurse they’ve seen but I just I hope I made him comfortable as he passed and I hope that when I die someone will hold my hand.

[suhani]

I have also noticed, that people I hug a lot and for a long time, become closer to me mentally and give me a lot more attention and support. It has happened with friends and lovers.

[sgrannie]

My great-granddaughter is a pandemic baby, so it was almost a year before I finally saw her in more than just a photo. Because I have been vulnerable to any kind of infection for several years, I spend most of my life alone, so when that little girl climbed into my arms, it was like being filled with light. I sat there nearly two hours (believe me, I didn’t mind!), partly because she fell asleep. Her Mum was surprised because that had never happened before. I believe it’s because we were communicating at a deep, non-verbal level: entirely through touch ... something I hadn’t experienced in much more than a year. She had a great little nap .... and I walked on air for days.

[seuratguy]

There should be people in hospitals and nursing homes whose job it is to give gentle touch to the patients. This is medically necessary!

[AlejandraXio]

I always wondered why Americans are much more depressed than Mexicans. I always suspected it was because in México we greet everyone with a mini hug and kiss. I remember first hating it because I wasn’t used to it but now I love it!!! The emotional connections I make with people when I travel to México are so strong. It makes the community feel like extended family in a sense. I feel so lonely here in the us even though I’m surrounded by people.

[ai]

No wonder
I mean i haven't had a real hug from anyone in years now and i remember at school someone got dared to hug me for 5 seconds because they were playing dare or double dare, and soon as that person gave it to me i froze, stood up, and walked to the restroom.
I sat down on the floor and almost cried out of joy? I just can't describe how relieved i felt after being hugged by a person i didn't know.
Even if they didn't have to it still felt like a huge relief.

[Kathakathan]

As an Indian, it’s shocking to listen that physical closeness with babies was frowned upon. Gosh. We have tradition of baby massage, it’s mandatory, develops bond with mom, grandma. Even singing to them is considered good, even when they are in womb. Garbhasanskar is mentioned too. Speaking good and positive while pregnant, reading moral stories etc, music. Massaging mother after delivery is also recommended.

[Ekam-Sat]

I was born in Europe and moved to the US when I was young so I know the difference in culture for sure. That being said. I have been touch deprived for the last seven years of my marriage. There was also no emotional intimacy. No kind words. No gratitude. All she wanted was that I worked. So I am finally getting out after 21 years. I stayed for the kids. Very sad but without love there is death. That's what I feel. Hopefully I can find a partner who likes to love and be loved in return. In my personal opinion; love is the only meaning of life.

[eleanorjane]

This gives me deep understanding and validation of my life’s work. I’ve been a massage therapist for 20 years. What is shown in this documentary I have always felt, but not been able to explain scientifically. This fascinates me and brings healing touch and academic study together. Thank you 🙏🏻

[infavorofdemocracy]

I nearly cried when people hugged each other in the documentary. we should administer gentle touch at every correctional facility and mental institute. Bring humanity back into treatment.

[manougomes]

Waking up from anesthesia after jaw surgery, I was confused, swollen and in pain. Then a male nurse approached me, stroked my head and said 'Oh, du arme Maus' (German: Oh, you poor mouse). I looked at him and started weeping. I was and still am so grateful for that nurse‘s kind gesture. I felt relieved.

[katecamellia]

Before my spinal block for my c-section I was super scared because my family was not in the room with me, but a nurse took both of my hands and held them tight so the doctor could give me the shot. I will never forget how reassured I became just by her touch.