A lack of touch is called touch starvation or skin hunger.
Just a couple of hugs a day can really help.
What does it mean to be touch starved?
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It’s normal to go for short periods of time without touch.Dr.
You may notice touch starvation intensely, or it might be just a background feeling for you.
If you’re in a relationship that lacks physical contact, you may be particularly frustrated.
That’s because as adults, our partners are the default place we receive affection and touch from.
Let’s look at why that is.
Why do I crave it?
We need touch throughout the entirety of our lives.
This need for touch begins as soon as we are born.
Being touched and touching others makes us feel good on a physiological level.
It provides important psychological benefits too, of course, but it has a real impact on our hormones.
Le Goy explains that “physical touch is calming and soothing and provides comfort when we are distressed.
It also releases the love hormone oxytocin and reduces the stress hormone (cortisol).”
What happens when we don’t get enough physical touch?
Le Goy says that touch starvation can express itself as an assortment of emotional and physiological symptoms.
Touch starvation is bad for our mental health, and it can negatively impact our relationships.
Let’s look at them more closely.
That includes how we treat one another now in a physical sense.
Studies have shown that touch hunger is indeed an unfortunate consequence of the pandemic.
Others stop being affectionate when they feel less attracted to someone.
When in a relationship, clear and kindcommunicationis the most effective way to address and recover from touch starvation.
All of the following activities will help to release oxytocin and reduce your cortisol levels.
Our need for touch begins at birth, and is critical for our proper development.
If you suspect you’re suffering from touch starvation, it is worth looking into.
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