Good story on @MorningEdition today w @NPRinskeep on the hazards of physical isolation. Lots of good research laid out; I was diappointed at the lack of sense-based (as in the five senses that comprise our emotional-physical-psychological states) suggestions. So, a thread.

Back in the 80’s, I was healing from incest & rape, also running a fitness business & studying the effects of touch. It is indeed a necessary element of human survival. What do we do when it is abused or, with COVID-19, absent?
https://roxannedarling.com/37-hugs-for-37-strangers-1989/">https://roxannedarling.com/37-hugs-f...

To cut to the chase, there are many things one can do to offset isolation &reduce harmful side effects. Pls add your sensory tonics to this thread, too.

1. Have a pet. Great research has been done on the benefits (body & mind) of petting an animal. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/03/09/146583986/pet-therapy-how-animals-and-humans-heal-each-other">https://www.npr.org/sections/...

2. Get a stuffed pet. I’ve often snuggled w a stuffed animal or a pillow & found comfort. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🦄" title="Einhorngesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Einhorngesicht">

3. Do physical things. Exercise changes the state of the bodymind & has other benefits in isolation. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💃" title="Woman dancing" aria-label="Emoji: Woman dancing">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🕺🏾" title="Tanzender Mann (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Tanzender Mann (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">

4. Listen to music, intentionally, in head phones. A sensory treat. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎼" title="Partitur" aria-label="Emoji: Partitur">

5. Practice grounding. This is when you walk on the earth, ideally barefoot if you can, and make physical contact with the earth. It’s a real thing. https://chopra.com/articles/grounding-the-human-body-the-healing-benefits-of-earthing">https://chopra.com/articles/...

6. Self-massage - i like massaging my own body, giving myself mani-pedis, etc. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Rotes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Rotes Herz"> The effect is magnified while listening to music or repeating “I love myself” mantras. This book by Silicon Valley VC, Kamal Ravikant, convinced me it isn’t frivolous. https://bookshop.org/books/love-yourself-like-your-life-depends-on-it/9780062968722">https://bookshop.org/books/lov...

7. Spacial interaction - in addition to snuggling with various animate or inanimate delights, interact with your space. Lean backwards over soft chairs, massage your back against a corner or pole, put those tennis balls to work. Allow the simplest interaction to comfort you.

8. Writing - by hand on paper gives a little more sensual interaction however typing on a keyboard works too! Plus, you can now reframe all the computer “work” as a partial sense-positive experience in your day.

9. Get sunshine on you. Sit in a window, go outside. Make a conscious connection to the warmth on your skin, along with the breeze, the scents, & by all means, HUG SOME TREES. They will def hug you back. (Could do a whole thread on #ForTheLoveOfNature) Dip toes in streams, too.

10. Be mindful of your self-talk. Thoughts affect physiology so why would you pile on with negativity? Even if you don’t believe these things can help, play a game & take the chance they just might.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤓" title="Nerd-Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Nerd-Gesicht">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😊" title="Lächelndes Gesicht mit lächelnden Augen" aria-label="Emoji: Lächelndes Gesicht mit lächelnden Augen">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😎" title="Lächelndes Gesicht mit Sonnenbrille" aria-label="Emoji: Lächelndes Gesicht mit Sonnenbrille">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤩" title="Vom Star geblendet" aria-label="Emoji: Vom Star geblendet">

I hope you’ll share this thread with friends who are isolation-challenged. Talking works too, so please reach out to me or others if *you* want to have a chat. Thanks for reading and BEING IN TOUCH.

And look at this, touching all those books... https://twitter.com/missrogue/status/1278405520706146306?s=20">https://twitter.com/missrogue...