Touch may alleviate existential fears for people with low self-esteem

What is that secret power?

In fact, it is available to everyone — it is the power of the human touch. For example, research published in the Psychological Science journal showed that interpersonal touch can help people with low self-esteem deal with anxiety and existential fears (the knowledge that someday they will die and concerns related to it). Even a quick touch on the shoulder proved to be effective, so you can only imagine how beneficial hugging or getting a massage can be.

Is it a recent discovery?

The general concept is known since at least the 1960s. Although the next classic behavioral experiment is not about human touch as it was conducted on monkeys, it still helps to get an idea. An American psychologist Harry Harlow created two artificial “mothers” for monkeys raised in a laboratory: one made of wood and wire and another made of cloth and foam rubber. As a result, monkeys spent significantly more time with the “mother” made of soft materials, even though the food was only available near the “mother” made of wire.

Does touch affect our physiology?

Yes, it stimulates the release of oxytocin and reduces the release of cortisol: attachment is formed and anxiety is reduced. It also regulates heart rate and blood pressure. So, the physical and mental effects are interconnected and help relieve anxiety and stress.

Just like babies get calmer when having skin-to-skin contact with their parents, we function better with social touch, including simple ones like hand-shaking. That’s why the consequences of limited social touch during the recent pandemic are yet to be researched.

What if a person doesn’t like being touched by others?

Self-massage with a bath sponge or just palms, having a scalp massage during the hair wash at the hairdresser, or cuddling your pet are good alternatives. According to studies, even touching a teddy bear helps reduce anxiety. Therefore, you can get the needed effect. Also, remember to get permission before hugging or touching someone not that close to you to understand if they are okay with that.