You’ve probably heard the expression “give yourself a pat on the back” but when’s the last time you gave yourself a hug? It might sound silly at first but there is a method to the madness.
In a recent study conducted by ScienceDirect, results have shown that self-touch can have a profound effect on our mental state — and that the best way to do that, is to give yourself a hug.
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If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that human beings aren’t meant to live in isolation.
By nature, human beings are social creatures. We thrive and are at our best when living in communities and tend to break down when left to our own devices.
In order to help stem the flow of transmission of COVID-19, we’ve been told to remain socially distant.
No longer are we free to shake hands, clap one another on the back, or even give hugs to our closest loved ones. Not surprisingly, this “new normal” is beginning to have serious affects on our mental health.
For years now, there have been studies that speak to the power of physical contact.
A comprehensive study conducted by ScienceDirect shows that receiving hugs can help to reduce stress, lower a person’s blood pressure, and help to improve our overall state of mind.
Since many of us no longer have the luxury of outside physical contact, researchers have begun to shift their focus.
They sought to discover whether or not self-touch had the same/similar effects as receiving a hug from a partner/family member. The results show that self-love can have a powerful effect on our bodies.
Regarding the aforementioned study, researchers posit that a person receives the same benefits by self-soothing.
“For example, people can place their right hand over their heart and their left hand on their belly and focus on the warmth and pressure of the touch,” study author Aljoscha Dreisörner said .
This is a simple healthy way for adults and children to cope with stress.
Learning how to manage stressful situations is an essential aspect of being a functioning human being in society. The earlier we begin these practices, the better we become at recognizing and adapting.
Study author Aljoscha Dreisörner also makes sure to point out that many of us are already self-soothing without realizing.
“Some readers may touch their face or hands at this very moment. We suggest that people use self-touch deliberately to cope with stress,” she explains .
When asked to elaborate more on the science of self-soothing, Aljoscha says it boils down to two main factors.
The first is that touch stimulates what’s known as our C-fiber receptors. These are nerve fibers that “that then stimulate vagal and parasympathetic activity that helps regulate stress responses .”
The second has to due with our psychological constructs regarding touch.
According to Aljoscha’s findings, interpersonal touch helps to elicit feelings of support as well as a sense of societal belonging in a person’s mind. Self-soothing, she argues, helps to trigger a sensation of safety as well as mindfulness .
This is a great grounding technique for when you’re in the thralls of negative emotions.
A grounding technique is a method a person uses in order to help pull themselves out of a stressful situation, such as a panic attack or in the case of a child — a temper tantrum.
So the next time you feel yourself going over the edge, stop and give yourself a hug.
The power of self-healing is palpable and something we shouldn’t ignore. It has the ability to drastically alter our mood, as well as calm our racing minds. But more than that, it also allows us to practice self-love — something this world could use a lot more of.
