Never Underestimate the Power of Touch

Individuals Match the Actions of People they Live WIth

A loving hug, a gentle kiss or an affectionate tap can cure mountainous problems. We have improved on modern methods of communicating in this fast-gen world and lack more physical interactions. People unknowingly match the actions of people they live with. For instance, couples match their footsteps while walking and their heart beat rhythms too sync in each other’s presence. Studies prove that physical touch help premature babies grow rapidly, provide comfort and relieve their stress. In general, too, babies feel cozy and warm when held by their mothers and love being pampered and kissed.

A new study reveals that when a spouse/romantic partner holds the hands of the partner in pain, there is considerable decrease in pain experienced. This is the first-of-the-kind study that deals with interpersonal synchronization with respect to pain and touch. The study was the brainchild of a researcher who witness decreased pain in his wife during her delivery of the baby when he touched and held her hands. Exercise and yoga also play a pivotal role in reducing pain and making the delivery process easier and comfortable as elaborated at www.firsteatright.com. 

The study involved 22 couples aged between 23 and 32 years who were put under three scenarios-sitting together without holding hands, sitting together holding their hands and sitting together in separate rooms. The same scenarios were repeated after the women were made to undergo mild heat pain on their arm. Sitting in the same room synched their heart rates but the pain caused a barrier to this. But, when the couple were allowed to hold hands, not only did their heart rates match but the woman’s pain levels too decreased.

While pain disrupts synchrony between couples, touch brings it back. While the study did not probe into effects on same-sex couples or between individuals holding different relationships, one point stands clear: pain relief is just at an arm’s distance.
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Most couples understand each other’s pain but what they lack is the physical touch that makes the communication a successful one! The power of touch can heal ailments-might be an age-old proverb, but now we do know that touch has the power to heal pain.