Psychology of Human Touch

The benefits of human touch have been utilized since the dawn of humankind. Whether it is a massage, a caress or a simple hug, human touch can result in profound and positive psychological effects for people of any age.

A Basic Human Need

• Being touched is a basic human need. It is as important to human survival as air, light, water and food. Rooted in the belief that energy flows freely between human beings, making physical contact with another fulfills the fundamental desire to be connected.

Nurturing

• Human touch is a nurturing event. If people do not receive this touch, they often provide it for themselves instinctively. As discussed by Professor Michael Rutter, when Romanian orphans were neglected by their caretakers, they were found holding and rocking themselves in an effort to nurture their own needs.

A Sense of Belonging

• Human touch provides recipients with a firm sense of belonging. A simple touch is an acknowledgment of your presence and your value.

Calming Effects

• A sense of calm is one of the most commonly experienced results of human touch. The nerves in the body relax, allowing the mind to rest in the moment, however briefly.

Healing Effects

• Nurses in the 1970s crafted a unique and gentle form of human touch to help heal patients. Nursing schools now teach classes on the importance of touch.