Beyond Skincare | The power of touch
The skin is our largest organ, working magically to protect us and decipher the various environmental inputs that it comes in contact with. We put it through the wringer with exposure to all that is good and bad out there. Sometimes our skincare routine can be our only time with ourselves and our intentional time with someone we love. A great body butter with healthy ingredients and elevating aroma can be shared as a sensitive way to express affection and/or desire, increasing your awareness in love and care for yourself and others.
As we churn through days packed with duty and speed, our attention is pulled in thousands of directions, zooming us in on all that’s required to maintain our lifestyles, care for loved ones, and multi-task to extremes. It’s easy to miss red flags and cues our bodies send to alert us to issues that may trigger illness on a physical or mental level.
Implications of deprivation and treatment
One trend observed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic has been what’s known as touch starvation or deprivation. In its extremity this state can lead to depression, anxiety, and increases in the stress hormone cortisol. The biological need especially apparent with baby development immediately from birth continues throughout life and is often placed at level with other basic needs like food, water, and air.
Besides the well researched effects of touch on the thriving of newborns and infants, some studies have shown that touch can have beneficial effects on elderly people with Alzheimer’s. Studies have shown that touch strategies have profound effects on children with behavioral and trauma challenges. Even the smallest gestures of touch from friends, family, or partners reach deeper into our well-being than we might imagine.
The benefits of social touch
Stress Reduction: Touch triggers the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone" or "bonding hormone." Oxytocin helps to reduce stress and anxiety levels, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.
Improved Immune Function: Research suggests that regularly experiencing touch can boost the immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells, which help fight off infections and illnesses.
Enhanced Emotional Bonding: Touch plays a fundamental role in building and maintaining emotional connections between individuals. It fosters feelings of trust, empathy, and intimacy, strengthening relationships.
Pain Relief: Gentle touch can stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced by the body. This can help alleviate physical discomfort and reduce perception of pain.
Improved Mental Health: Touch has been shown to improve mood and decrease feelings of loneliness and depression. It provides a sense of comfort and reassurance, promoting overall psychological well-being.
Reduced Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Engaging in comforting touch can lead to a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure, promoting cardiovascular health and reducing the risk of heart-related conditions.
Enhanced Communication: Touch can convey a wide range of emotions and intentions, often serving as a nonverbal form of communication in ways that words alone cannot.
Stimulation of the Nervous System: Human touch activates pressure receptors under the skin, sending signals to the brain that can promote relaxation and decrease stress responses. It also helps regulate the nervous system, promoting overall balance and well-being.
Improved Sleep Quality: Gentle touch has been shown to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. It can help individuals fall asleep faster and experience deeper, more restorative sleep.
Promotion of Growth and Development: Human touch is essential for the healthy development of infants and children. Skin-to-skin contact, in particular, has been shown to promote bonding between parents and babies, regulate body temperature, and support early cognitive and emotional development.
Social touch is a fundamental aspect of human experience with physical, emotional, and psychological benefits. Incorporating regular, positive touch into daily life can lead to improved well-being and stronger interpersonal connections. It holds power to bind and break connections and have profound effects on feelings of safety, and well-being. It is our first sense to develop, the first form of communication we can access, and the means with which we learn and develop our sense of self.
Truly healthy skincare reaches beyond the skin, working to improve levels of wellness and connection. Touch and skincare go hand in hand as we work to stay in tune with ourselves and one another in the currents of a post pandemic, individualized trending society.
All hearts and flowers aside this Valentine’s Day, the gift of time, touch, and loving attention to yourself and to another, can start with the simple beauty of a caress.
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At Ellovi we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. Our mission is to offer wellness using pure ingredients with safe and transparent methods. Self care is not just a luxury and it cannot wait. We’re here to remind you to invest in your health from head to toe, inside and out.
Team Ellovi 🌺