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Do you remember the last time you shook someone's hand? Patted them on the back? Gave them a peck on the cheek, or a hug? https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-04-15/emotional-effects-coronavirus-social-distancing
Touch may not get the same attention as the other senses, but science affirms its vital importance. Its absence in our lives right now may be causing unintended harm.
From @lzgranderson: https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-04-15/emotional-effects-coronavirus-social-distancing
From @lzgranderson: https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-04-15/emotional-effects-coronavirus-social-distancing
Touching increases the natural killer cells that help us fight off illnesses, said Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute. Touch also decreases cortisol, a hormone that can harm the immune system; it also helps ward off depression. https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-04-15/emotional-effects-coronavirus-social-distancing
“I read a study in which researchers injected a cold virus into patients and they measured the amount of hugging with each patient," Field said. "The subjects who received hugs did not get the cold. The ones who did not receive hugs did." https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-04-15/emotional-effects-coronavirus-social-distancing
“It’s ironic that at a time when we need good immune function, we can’t touch people.” https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-04-15/emotional-effects-coronavirus-social-distancing
Consider that other global events like war and famine do not require humans to avoid contact to return to normalcy. Even during the height of the AIDS epidemic, as terrifying as that was, the medical field was not discouraging touch. https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-04-15/emotional-effects-coronavirus-social-distancing
There are ways to at least partly make up for the lack of physical contact. Walking, sit-ups and yoga all stimulate those pressure receptors. https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-04-15/emotional-effects-coronavirus-social-distancing
"We were already a touch-deprived society before this. ... It will be interesting to see how we interact with one another once this has passed.” https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-04-15/emotional-effects-coronavirus-social-distancing
