{"id":18224,"date":"2022-04-26T10:00:06","date_gmt":"2022-04-26T14:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/?p=18224"},"modified":"2022-04-24T16:57:47","modified_gmt":"2022-04-24T20:57:47","slug":"the-power-of-positive-touch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2022\/04\/the-power-of-positive-touch.html","title":{"rendered":"The Power of Positive Touch"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

To touch can be to give life,\u201d Michelangelo<\/em><\/p>\n

Touch is the first of the senses to develop. It remains emotionally important throughout our lives. And while touch can be negative, abusive or violating, positive <\/em>touch is essential to so many areas of our lives.<\/p>\n

However, for the past two years, we have been restricted in our touch due to the pandemic. Hugs, kisses and gestures of affection were all put on hold. We could not put our arm around someone who was grieving, have grandkids jump in our laps, or even greet one another with a handshake or kiss.<\/p>\n

One thing was made clear from the pandemic. We took touch for granted. The loss of touch contributed to feeling lonely. And an increase in social media communication did not help. You can send your hug via words or an emoji, but it\u2019s not the same as getting an actual hug. On-line communication cannot substitute for the warmth of a pat on the back or a hug of joy.<\/p>\n

We need physical touch in our development and in our on-going relationships. We know that a lack of touch results in growth deprivation and developmental delays. Additionally, no touch makes people more aggressive. Touch calms you down.<\/p>\n

Positive touch can lower blood pressure, help memory and improve emotions. It can decrease stress, help with pain and boost our immune system. Touch has also been shown to lower irritability and depression in those with dementia. And for you sports fan, one study showed that NBA basketball teams whose players touched each more, won more games!<\/p>\n

When touch is missing, psychologists tell us this results in feelings of deprivation and abandonment. They label this \u201cskin hunger.\u201d This is because the brain is designed to touch. When we touch, the bonding hormone, oxytocin, is released and helps us feel attached to another person. Our mood is boosted due to the natural antidepressant serotonin. Pleasure is felt from the dopamine release. Basically, touch helps us relax and is a natural analgesic.<\/p>\n

Positive touch is powerful in your relationships too. It has been shown to promote trust and generosity. Thus, one easy thing to do is increase positive touch in your relationships. Simple things can be done -giving hugs, holding hands, back rubs, and a touch on the arm or back when someone is in crisis or experiences loss.<\/p>\n

As I think about the importance of touch, I remember how Christ physically touched people he healed. It should be no surprise that the God who designed our bodies would place importance on human touch while on Earth. Throughout Christ\u2019s time in ministry, he physically touched people. And his touch was given to those who were untouchable, like lepers and the unclean. His physical touch was an affirmation of a person\u2019s value and dignity despite their condition.<\/p>\n

The language of touch is scattered throughout the Bible. Physically and spiritually, we need God\u2019s touch. When we are touched by God, we are changed. Bitterness, unforgiveness, anxiety and fear go away.<\/p>\n

Jesus tells us that His touch will bring comfort and joy. He pulls us close to Him and invites us to sit on his knee like children. So, open your heart to both physical and spiritual touch that is safe and positive. It will change you for the better.<\/p>\n

NOTE: If you have been touched in violating and abusive ways, get professional help today.<\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

To touch can be to give life,\u201d Michelangelo Touch is the first of the senses to develop. It remains emotionally important throughout our lives. And while touch can be negative, abusive or violating, positive touch is essential to so many areas of our lives. However, for the past two years, we have been restricted in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":419,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[913],"tags":[6287,6290,4845,6296,6293],"class_list":["post-18224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-couple-relationships","tag-healing-touch","tag-positive-touch","tag-touch","tag-touch-and-physical-health","tag-touch-and-relationships"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Power of Positive Touch<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Positive touch is powerful in your relationships. It has been shown to promote trust, generosity, lower stress and increase immunity.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Power of Positive Touch\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Positive touch is powerful in your relationships. It has been shown to promote trust, generosity, lower stress and increase immunity.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2022\/04\/the-power-of-positive-touch.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Doing Life Together\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/drlindamintle\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-04-26T14:00:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-04-24T20:57:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/wp-media.beliefnet.com\/sites\/258\/2022\/04\/hand-g1a2d209ad_1920-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Linda Mintle\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@drlindamintle\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Power of Positive Touch","description":"Positive touch is powerful in your relationships. It has been shown to promote trust, generosity, lower stress and increase immunity.","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"nofollow"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Power of Positive Touch","og_description":"Positive touch is powerful in your relationships. It has been shown to promote trust, generosity, lower stress and increase immunity.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2022\/04\/the-power-of-positive-touch.html","og_site_name":"Doing Life Together","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/drlindamintle\/","article_published_time":"2022-04-26T14:00:06+00:00","article_modified_time":"2022-04-24T20:57:47+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/wp-media.beliefnet.com\/sites\/258\/2022\/04\/hand-g1a2d209ad_1920-scaled.jpg"}],"author":"Linda Mintle","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@drlindamintle","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2022\/04\/the-power-of-positive-touch.html","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2022\/04\/the-power-of-positive-touch.html","name":"The Power of Positive Touch","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2022\/04\/the-power-of-positive-touch.html#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2022\/04\/the-power-of-positive-touch.html#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/wp-media.beliefnet.com\/sites\/258\/2022\/04\/hand-g1a2d209ad_1920-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2022-04-26T14:00:06+00:00","dateModified":"2022-04-24T20:57:47+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/#\/schema\/person\/1e16a9c7332cfcc5b5d89e4ba3a36142"},"description":"Positive touch is powerful in your relationships. It has been shown to promote trust, generosity, lower stress and increase immunity.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2022\/04\/the-power-of-positive-touch.html#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2022\/04\/the-power-of-positive-touch.html"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2022\/04\/the-power-of-positive-touch.html#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/wp-media.beliefnet.com\/sites\/258\/2022\/04\/hand-g1a2d209ad_1920-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/wp-media.beliefnet.com\/sites\/258\/2022\/04\/hand-g1a2d209ad_1920-scaled.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2022\/04\/the-power-of-positive-touch.html#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Power of Positive Touch"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/","name":"Doing Life Together","description":"Relationship Doctor, Mental Health, Emotional Wellness, Relationship Advice & Entertainment","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/#\/schema\/person\/1e16a9c7332cfcc5b5d89e4ba3a36142","name":"Linda Mintle","description":"It is rare that a trained academic who speaks passionately to the heart of people providing real answers to real life problems is so relatable. Dr. Linda\u2019s fun personality and expertise comes through whether she\u2019s helping her audience stress less or make peace with their thighs! Dr. Linda has her Ph.D. in Urban Health and Clinical Psychology and is a national expert on mental health. She has specialized in the treatment of eating disorders, anxiety, depression and pain management. With 30 years of clinical experience working with couples, families and individuals, she brings her common-sense approach to people who want to live in positive mental health. Dr. Linda is also a bestselling author with 21 book titles to her credit, a radio host of the Dr. Linda Mintle show, professor, national speaker, winner of the Mom\u2019s Choice Award, a national news consultant, featured writer for Beliefnet and hosts her own website. Her academic appointments keep her abreast of current research in her areas of expertise. Her media experience includes seven years as the resident expert for ABC Family\u2019s Living the Life television show and regular appearances on network television and radio. It is often said that being with Dr. Linda is like having coffee with a friend. She makes the complicated issues of relationships and mental health easy to understand and applicable to everyday living. The ease she has with people, coupled with her clinical training and experience makes her a sought-after speaker on college campuses, conferences and special events. Whether she is doing a TV skit with Tim Conway or discussing teen violence with Queen Latifa, Dr. Linda will entertain, educate and integrate faith and mental health in everyday living. Check out her latest book Hope and Healing for Anxiety, a whole-person approach to eliminate anxiety. .","sameAs":["https:\/\/drlindamintle.com\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/drlindamintle\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/drlindamintle\/","https:\/\/x.com\/drlindamintle"],"url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/author\/lmintle"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18224","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/419"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18224"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18224\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18233,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18224\/revisions\/18233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}