Soothing Techniques to Cope with Touch Deprivation

Many of the usual ways one usually combats touch hunger are not the most ideal right now, but there are other ways to satiate your desire that you can try out alone and in your home.

Touch is vital, and even a simple message regularly can show significant improvement in your well-being, including your mood.

Touch deprivation is a real thing, and it can manifest itself in several ways in your life. Some of the symptoms of touch deprivation include feelings of loneliness, low relationship satisfaction, avoidance of secure attachment, and even stress, amongst other things.

Listening to ASMR

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) isn't just the rabbit hole you keep getting stuck in on youtube and Instagram. There are wellness benefits linked to listening to certain sounds, such as whispering or brushing hair.

How ASMR works to curb the symptoms of touch deprivation is the unique sounds that trigger the brain’ associated with touch and connection. Some people report experiencing a sense of calm after ASMR.

Dancing

Dance has a positive effect on the body. Studies have found that both oxytocin and dopamine are some of the “feel-good chemicals” your body releases when you dance. You could learn a new dance if you also want to pick up a new hobby while you’re at it.

So in the words of Corrine Bailey Rae, “Girl, put your records on, tell me your favorite song. You go ahead, let your hair down.”

Self-Massage

Self-care champion Tracee Ellis Ross recently uploaded a video of herself on Instagram giving her hands a little massage using an oil (actually a facial oil) and some hand lotion. Many of the comments were about how soothing the video was, and, true enough, this is a great way to give yourself a needed touch.

On the topic of touching yourself, a bit of self-pleasure may satisfy your longing for touch. You could even invest in some toys and oils.

Sleep With A Body Pillow

Body pillows are meant to mimic a hug or a cozy cuddle. Experts reckon that hugging a pillow can invoke a feeling of security as well as release oxytocin.

Weighted Blankets

Weighted blankets offer deep pressure stimulation. This is a way of putting the body under pressure to relax the nervous system ultimately.

Added bonus, it is getting colder now, so chances are you’ve got yours out of the back of the closet all ready to keep you cozy these holidays.