Reach Out and Touch Someone

Yesterday was Mother's Day and I couldn't help thinking of all of those
wonderful mom’s that I know and what an important job we have. Our girl's learn
from us how to be women and mom's themselves one day. And from us, our
boys learn how to value and treat the women in their lives.
 I remember my children as babies especially my son loving baby massage and how after their baths to settle them down I would gentle massage them and watch their squiggling little bodies
become still and relaxed. Still both my children are very responsive to touch
because I’ve never stop touching, hugging, or kissing them. The only difference
now is that I can’t always get away with doing it in front of their friends
but, that will never stop me from trying!  I think that most know me as a very touchy person. I love to touch, hug,and, be hugged. That is what I learned growing up by example and my extended
family still hugs all the time. I hope that is just one of the things my
children are learning from me.

The power of touch is way beyond what we imagine. There is scientific
evidence showing that skin to skin contact is beneficial to human health.
Unfortunately, touch has become a touchy subject. We Americans are among the
most touch-deprived people in the world despite our enlightened attitudes.
Americans don’t touch each other more for fear of having our intentions
misunderstood and this is enough to scare some people from giving just a simple
pat on the back. In addition, we are adding to that lack of touch as we  move
farther away from face to face human communication with technology.
Researchers consider the effects of touch deprivation to be worse than
physical abuse. Humans need to connect. We need to receive touch and we need to
give it for genuine happiness.  The stress hormone, cortisol is reduced with hugging. Cortisol is associated with anger,anxiety, physical tension, and weakened immunity. The University of North
 Carolina noted in a study that a mere 20 seconds of hugging boosted oxytocin levels, which improved heart function. Touch nurtures, relaxes, and heals. Touch is an innate behavior for giving and
receiving love which all of mankind wants and needs.


 Did you know that there is a“National Hug Day” on January 21^st? (ok we missed for this year)
However, I wish that we could see everyday as an opportunity to touch and to
hug. Bring touch into your life. Care for yourself by getting those endorphins flowing, as some massage therapist say“The issues are in the tissues” have a massage or facial and feel the stress
drain from your body and spirit.  To all of those wonderful moms out there I hope that everyday can be Mother’s Day for you. Don’t ever stop touching and hugging and don’t forget to take a hug for yourself.

Be happy in your skin,
Donna