What is it? Humans are wired to be touched. From birth until the day we die, our need for physical contact remains. Being touch starved — also known as skin hunger or touch deprivation — occurs when a person experiences little to no touch from other living things.

Wait, that’s a real thing? Indeed. The condition seems to be more common in countries that are becoming increasingly touch averse. For example, France was found to be one of the most touchy-feely places, while the United States appeared toward the bottom of the list. Whether this is due to a rise in technology use, a fear of touching being viewed as inappropriate, or simple cultural factors, no one is sure. But studies have found that missing out on regular human touch can have some serious and long-lasting effects.

Why is touch important? Skin-to-skin contact is vital for not only mental and emotional health, but physical health, too. When you feel snowed under or pressured, the body releases the stress hormone cortisol. One of the biggest things touch can do is reduce such stress, allowing the immune system to work the way it should. Touch can also calm certain bodily functions , such as your heart rate and blood pressure. It does so by stimulating pressure receptors that transport signals to the vagus nerve. This nerve connects the brain to the rest of the body. It uses the signals to slow the pace of the nervous system. In early life, touch is thought to be crucial for building healthy relationships by stimulating pathways for oxytocin, the natural antidepressant serotonin, and the pleasure chemical dopamine. Plus, it tackles loneliness. Even gentle touch from a stranger has been shown to reduce feelings of social exclusion.

How do you know if you’re touch starved? There’s no definitive way to know. But in a nutshell, you may feel overwhelmingly lonely or deprived of affection. These symptoms may be combined with: feelings of depression

anxiety

stress

low relationship satisfaction

difficulty sleeping

a tendency to avoid secure attachments You may also subconsciously do things to simulate touch, such as taking long, hot baths or showers, wrapping up in blankets, and even holding on to a pet.

What can you do to help satiate this desire? Touch starvation doesn’t have to last forever. Here are some simple ways to welcome more affection into your liferight now: Try out a massage. Whether you ask a loved one or visit a professional, massages are a proven way to relax and enjoy the benefits of another person’s touch.

Whether you ask a loved one or visit a professional, massages are a proven way to relax and enjoy the benefits of another person’s touch. Spend some quality time with animals. Often all too happy to cuddle, pets are the ideal soothing mechanism. If you don’t have one, why not visit a cat cafe?

Often all too happy to cuddle, pets are the ideal soothing mechanism. If you don’t have one, why not visit a cat cafe? Get your nails done. Easily overlooked, a manicure or pedicure will give you the human contact you need, and a new look to boot.

Easily overlooked, a manicure or pedicure will give you the human contact you need, and a new look to boot. Visit the hair salon. If you don’t fancy a cut, book yourself a wash and blow-dry for ultimate relaxation.

If you don’t fancy a cut, book yourself a wash and blow-dry for ultimate relaxation. Learn to dance. Certain dances like the tango don’t work without skin-to-skin contact. Not only will you put an end to your touch starvation, you’ll also pick up a rad new skill.

Certain dances like the tango don’t work without skin-to-skin contact. Not only will you put an end to your touch starvation, you’ll also pick up a rad new skill. Go to a cuddle party. Yes, these are real. And no, they’re not as strange as they sound. If socializing while cuddling isn’t for you, try enlisting the help of a professional cuddler instead.

What can you do to encourage affectionate touch in your day to day? You know how to relieve the touch-starved feeling in the short term, but what about the long term? Sustaining regular touch is pretty easy if you encourage it in your day-to-day life. Here are a few tips. For yourself Sit close to your loved ones. Instead of spreading out on the couch, make an effort to cuddle up during your Netflix sprees.

Instead of spreading out on the couch, make an effort to cuddle up during your Netflix sprees. Greet people with a handshake or hug. Obviously, don’t push the other person outside of their comfort zone.

Obviously, don’t push the other person outside of their comfort zone. Hug people for at least 20 seconds. This is said to be the point at which humans release oxytocin. If you’re worried your hug may not be reciprocated, ask people if they’d like to share a hug instead of automatically going in for one.

This is said to be the point at which humans release oxytocin. If you’re worried your hug may not be reciprocated, ask people if they’d like to share a hug instead of automatically going in for one. Use touch whenever appropriate. Being open to touch will encourage others to give it. In a romantic relationship, hold hands or cuddle. In platonic ones, reassure people with a touch to the arm or a pat on the back. Again, make sure other people are comfortable before going ahead. For your loved ones Give them plenty of positive touch. This can range from gentle strokes to full-on cuddling a few times a day.

This can range from gentle strokes to full-on cuddling a few times a day. Avoid associating touch with negativity. Don’t pinch or push or do anything that takes away the feel-good vibes of physical contact.

Don’t pinch or push or do anything that takes away the feel-good vibes of physical contact. Let children be close to you as often as possible. Allowing your child to sit on your lap or gently massaging your baby may prompt them to behave the same way later life.