Marie Claire UK - 11.2019

ALL THE FEELS
You are happy being single, have a busy job
and a thriving social life, but there is
something missing – you crave physical
touch. ‘Touch hunger’, or ‘skin hunger’ as
it is also known, arises when we are
deprived of physical contact. It isn’t
a sexual need, but a sense we crave from
the day we are born. ‘Meaningful contact
produces hormones in the brain such
as serotonin, dopamine and the bonding
hormone oxytocin to help foster positive
emotions,’ says Jo Ham, psychotherapist
at the Human Givens Institute. ‘As well as
making you feel good, human touch can
slow down heart rate, reduce blood
pressure and boost the immune system.’
This makes it just as important to our
well-being as a nutritious diet and exercise.
Not everyone is able to be in an intimate,
physical relationship, but it’s important to
know that we all have the need. ‘If you
don’t have a romantic partner, who can
give you that connection, how about close
contact with a friend or family member?’
says Ham. ‘Even a friendly touch on the
arm can be very soothing for somebody
MAKE-UP BY GINA KANE AT CAREN USING GUERLAINwho is feeling upset or alone.’