The mind, body and spirit are interconnected. Negative thoughts create physical stress and physical stress can have a strong negative impact on our psychology. The good news is that massage and other forms of touch can help to put the mind, body and spirit back in alignment.
In order to demonstrate the impact of touch on the mind, body and spirit, it is important to first define "spirit" in a non-religious way. Here, we will discuss spirit as being the emotional component of the human experience that creates direction and meaning in our lives. "Spirit" is not the center of problem solving, memory, or planning in the human body. It is the place where we go to achieve a sense of balance and find meaning.
So, now that we have defined spirit, we can discuss how touch can align and improve all of the elements of the human experience.
Touch Creates Positive Emotions and Social Connections
Most people experience their first sense of loving touch in the hands of their mothers. Even before we can see, we start to understand the people around us through physical contact. Touch bonds us and creates a chemistry of connection. Physical connections are even more important for older people, who may be living alone. A simple hug can create a sense of belonging and release hormones that are beneficial to the aging body.
Touch is Good for Your Health
The skin is the largest 'organ' of the body and being touched may lower blood pressure and help with the healing process. Touch slows a person's heart rate and even reduces tension and stress, which is a major contributor to health disease and weight problems. In fact, touch has even been shown to lessen pain, improve heart function, lower blood pressure, and improve immune function. For this reason, the benefits of massage go far beyond simple relaxation. Massage has significant health benefits as well.
Touch Contributes to a Positive State of Mind
For your physical, mental and emotional well-being it is important to embrace touch. Our world today is quite disconnected and impersonal. Until someone develops a touch app (there is probably one on the way), we will have to rely on reaching out the old fashioned way. Perhaps we have to let go of our social inhibitions and fears and just give our friends and family more hugs! A few years ago, a young man ran a viral campaign in which he sat with a sign that said "free hugs". The smiles of those passing by were genuine and quite extraordinary! Perhaps we should all give touch a try - for our emotional health, our physical well-being and to create a positive state of mind.
Find out more about the health benefits of touch at Sixty and Me
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