Touch starvation: how to get more physical quality time

Before we get into the ways to get yourself more physical touch, let us look at how being touch-starved affects your well-being.

Because we are social beings and bond through physical touch, actions like hugs prompt the brain to release the bonding hormone Oxytocin. This induces pleasant feelings and strengthens emotional and social bonds. It also lowers feelings of anxiety and fear.

Inversely, being touch-starved makes these feelings worse, and makes social and emotional bonds harder to maintain. It also has adverse effects rooted in stress.

Here's how to get more physical touch

Ask for it

When we are intentional about getting physical touch, we make it a priority and increase our chances of getting the best out of it. This includes asking a friend for a hug or cuddling up with a partner or sibling, among others. This also makes us more aware of our boundaries when it comes to receiving and giving physical touch.

Get comfortable in your own skin

If physical touch makes you uncomfortable, you should consider getting comfortable with your body. Insecurities and past traumatic experiences can make us apprehensive of physical touch. Once you understand and ease those worries, you may enjoy and even ask for physical touch.

Get into team hobbies

Social settings tend to bring diverse personalities together. This is where you find people who are more affectionate than others and those who are more touchy. But overall, team activities have a lot more bonding and easy connections.

Prioritise physical touch

Whether it is in friendships, relationships, or social settings, make it a point to initiate touch gestures such as hugs, handshakes, and holding hands. Make sure to observe boundaries!