In western countries like the UK and US, people tend to receive less touch than in other parts of the world. Touch deprivation can have serious impacts on our wellbeing and could lead to aggressive behaviour, body image issues, increased stress levels, loneliness, mental health issues and a number of additional problems.
The reasons behind touch deprivation are complex, but increasing numbers of people living on their own and the amount of time we spend with our devices are a few reasons that have been put forward. So how can we tackle an issue which only shows signs of getting worse?
Across the world, the new field of cuddle therapy is beginning to take off. The scientific benefits of touch are well-known and much like massage, cuddle therapy offers a complementary way of increasing the amount of touch we receive. Cuddles can help reduce stress and anxiety, and hugs also release a chemical called oxytocin, which helps create trust between people.
This short video shows what cuddle therapy is and why it could be just what you need, because at the end of the day, we could all do with more hugs in our lives!
More info: nordiccuddle.com