Go ahead ~ reach out and touch someone! All too often we are afraid to touch one another. However, research is increasingly proving the extraordinary effectiveness of touch. The warmth and security that touch gives us is necessary for survival. The gentle touching of skin triggers hormonal reactions.

When we are touched in a healthy, respectful and loving way, happy, feel good hormones called endorphins whiz around the body. They bring feelings of happiness, increase our willingness to perform, enhance our awareness of vital conciousness, which means ‘makes us feel glad to be alive’. And they increase the intensity of our sensory perception, which means the world seems brighter! Healthy touching induces feelings of tenderness, of warmth and closeness. Surveys of people in hospital settings in the UK have shown the simple act of massage improved morale and hastened the rate of recovery.

I gave a little unexpected talk recently and someone came up afterwards and rubbed my shoulders as they thanked me. I felt a million bucks! So, go ahead and hug a friend, give your partner a food rub, hold hands with your friends.

And if you are squeamish about all this touching, then push yourself right out of your comfort zone ~ get a massage!

Stay Fabulous!