Fight off loneliness with touch | Helena Backlund Wasling | TEDxGöteborg

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. As children we need touch to be able to handle stress and develop normally. Loneliness happens to be one of the greatest life hazards of our times and touching is a key element in connecting with people and forming relationships. Touch seems to benefit us in so many ways.

Helena Backlund Wasling and her team or researchers has mapped how a soft touch activates the parts of the brain that controls our emotions.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[michaelmiller]

This woman is a healthy, happy person and she delivers an important message. She is a brain researcher. What she says is backed up with tons of research. But the reaction she gets from the comments are people (the product of our civilization) with their own problems, perhaps case histories of the very thing she is talking about --- the result of lack of touch and body contact in early childhood.

[carliejung]

It's sad that this talk is not that popular. THIS SUBJECT IS IMPORTANT!!

[slcncr]

"Touch is present in the everyday life".
Not in mine. I haven`t had a tender Hug in the last 31 Years.

[shanegallant]

Wow. I'm shocked at how few people liked this video. This all rings so true to me. Thank you, Helena Backlund Wasling for this inspirational video!

[martinbeco]

Excellent talk. This woman is touching a delicate subject for northern cultures(Like the Europeans or the Americans), where human touch is less common than in southern cultures (Like the Latin Americans or the Africans) When a baby is born in Mexico, the extended family is there. And the baby is touched and carried by practically all the relatives. When a baby is born in a first world country, only the parents hold the baby. Most Mexican doctors will claim that this loving atmosphere is healthy for the baby. And here is a fact: There are less cradle deaths in third world countries than in first world countries.
Sadly, I have met British and Germans who do not like hugs. In Mexico, every one hugs. It´s part of our culture, and We think it odd to see people who disdain a hug.

[iolandaribeiro]

Wonderful this lady touched my heart. I loved this issue, very important.

[SoapyTitsWank]

"Get out there and touch more". This might result in the odd arrest or two.

[parkergilles]

Most of the babies, at my orphanage, died from lack of touch. I survived because, I think, subconsciously, my body created eczema and had to be touched, daily. I survived. But I still insist in being touched daily by people who love me.

[mfellison]

Just watched this in March 2021 - one year into the COVID-19 global pandemic - and Helena Wasling's words are incredibly poignant. While I don't live alone, there are people who are very important to me that I have not been able to touch for more than a year! This is a huge social experiment going on around the globe and it will be very interesting to see what the aggregate effects of this lack of touch will have on human beings living through this period of history. Personally speaking, I can't wait until we're all vaccinated and I can start hugging (and caressing) those that I love!

[shauncooper]

I found this talk extremely educational and enjoyable. Thank you!

[samiko]

Fascinating topic... I wonder if there are more talks about the solution to touch deprivation. Those who don't have kids or family, and no touch unless injured and in hospital.

[meloduple]

so what is the solution... for someone like me... neglecting parents, still not much more caring than when i was a kid, although they love. I'm someone who people cant be friends with me. I was bullied, i was neglected, I grew up not knowing how to properly socialize.

[ezrabay]

I'm extremely lonely, deeply depressed and unhappy. I'm 26 years old and I've never hugged, held hands or received soft touch, even though in my mind I see that as one of the if not the most important things in life. I think my parents stopped touching me when I grew past carrying age. I've only experienced violent and rude touch. I don't know how to get close enough to someone so that they might softly touch me or that I could softly touch them. I'm reaching my end.

[speedyboishan]

here's a tip, 1. you can move somewhere you like or feel comfortable living in, 2. you could try to make friends by visiting areas you have not lived, or visited before, 3. you could ask the council you want help or want to move due to your circumstances.

[MrMarcellz]

From father to unborn or adolescent child, between wife and husband, father and children, also male to male

[JoeyJJ]

I was using oxytocin nasal spray as I went over a decade without human contact. I am now friends with a woman but for the months before that the spray really helped.

[bigballs]

If your isolated and friendless and hated or misunderstood like me or anyone els this is impossible.

[phily]

I've not been touched for over 2 years. I long for a hug and a long cuddle, and would give anything for a day lying in bed next to someone who cared for me, and I cared for them. But it won't happen. I have too many physical, situational and mental health issues, which makes me unattractive to anybody. I'm 41 now, and I don't really want to see 42, to live in this touch deprived way for the rest of my life. To me, it's a life not worth living.

[CharlotteFairchild]

Free hugs, massage therapy, Cuddle Party, pets, self grooming, musical instruments

[MrMarcellz]

How come this study does not include the touch of the father or husband in the research, and social development...