This is one of my favorite subjects.  I am ever amazed at what the touch of a human hand can do, and how much it can mean in the life of any one of us!  It has been researched so many times, and all say the same thing.  The human touch can offer more than just tactile stimulation.

Of course everyone has noticed that when you meet up with family, or close friends at holidays, everyone is hugging, and laughing, and happy.  But what about other times?  What about the times that aren't so happy?  Funerals?  Times of illness or hardship?  What about then?

Well of course, during the normal course of events, everyone hugs at funerals.  Especially the closest berieved.  Why is that?  Ever really think about that?  It is really quite simple.  A hug is not just a hug!  It is a way of offering love, and friendship.  During sad and hard times, it is a way of offering sympathy and support.

OK, hugging aside, which is probably one of the most important forms of human contact we have, there are other things about human touch that are important.  When someone is upset, and very nearly ready to lose control, sometimes a simple touch of the hand, from someone they trust, is all it takes to calm them down.  Just like laughter, a simple touch can relieve stress, and ease the upset, sometimes down below the boiling point.

Touch is the way in which a monther and her baby bond.  The cuddling and cooing going on isn't just because that baby is cute.  Watch animals with their young.  They do it too.  It is a way of memorizing the feel, the scent, the sounds that baby makes.  A way of marking that child as your own.  Of course humans don't need to do that anymore, but it is still so important to the bonding process, and to the health of that baby! 

In instances where babies are born prematurely, and have to spend time in a neo natal unit to survive, research has shown that touch is critical to the survival of these babies.  If they don't get that cuddling, and cooing, they will not thrive.  Most will die!  For these babies to feel the touch of their mother's hand, and hear the sound of their mothers' voice, means the difference between life and death for them.

Touch is powerful.  Just as powerful as laughter!  Both ease stress, offer reassurance, love, sympathy, and so much more.  Without touch, we don't survive!  Depression, futility, misery, and death can be the result many times, just for the lack of a simple touch of your hand, or the brush of your lips across a baby's temple.

Next time someone offers a hug?  Make sure you give it back ten fold, and see what a difference it makes.  The comfort you offer to a soul in need may indeed be your own.