Craving touch/physical affection is an important part of being human... (depressed, girlfriend)
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Studies have shown that people need and crave being touched more than they desire sex, money or social status. Basic physical (non-sexual) affection such as holding hands, getting a massage, being caressed and getting hugged are very important to our species and sometimes, people who go without being touched in an affectionate way for long periods of time often become depressed, they lose their interest in daily life activities and tend to isolate themselves from people. I've seen some people who have experienced this firsthand, and, it's quite sad. Sometimes, even when people find themselves without a significant other, they at least still have family and friends who do show them physical affection. But, there are so many people who really have no one that touches them on a regular or even on an occasional basis; these people are totally devoid of affectionate physical contact from anyone.
Some may not think it's as important as other aspects of life, a friendship or a relationship while others might think it's one of the most important things to have in their life. I personally find touch to be an integral part of my daily life; I know I couldn't go too long without being touched in an affectionate way! I feel that it would affect my moods and certain aspects of my personality and the way I view the world (and probably myself).
How important do you think touch is in your life and with people in general?
Last edited by RedZin; 01-24-2013 at 06:17 AM..
Reason: Removed pic/copyright
This is true, Srjth. Sometimes, people who don't get regular physical affection seek it out by having a lot of sex with one or multiple partners to make up for what they're not getting; then they find out that a lot of times, it still doesn't satisfy their yearning to be hugged or caressed. Pleasant non-sexual physical affection makes people feel that they're loved enough and/or cared about enough or liked enough to be touched. It's almost an indescribable feeling to be hugged, caressed or have your hand held by someone who values you and cares about you as a person; it's a wonderful feeling!
I think this is why massage services (NOT massage parlors who offer sexual touch) are so popular nowadays. For people who don't get touched regularly, having consistent massages by a stranger offers them the pleasant sensations of being touched without having to seek it out or receive it from other people in general.
I know. I am a Masseuse and I've seen what it does to people. I've had people start crying on the table because it can be emotionally cathartic for "pent up" people who are unknowingly craving touch.
This is why, when i save up enough money to pay for a woman, it will be a full-fledged Girlfriend Experience rather than just a regular prostitute. I crave the softness of a woman's skin... her hand touching my face, hugging, cuddling, massaging, hand-holding. i think all these affectionate non-sexual touches are very good for relieving stress.
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This reminds me of Japanese culture. It's a very non-touchy culture. Friends greet each other by bowing, even a husband and wife will seldom show affection to each other outside of the sexual act. Parents often do not hug or kiss their children. I wonder if this has anything to do with their problems of social isolation? Or sexual perversions?
Studies have shown that people need and crave being touched more than they desire sex, money or social status. Basic physical (non-sexual) affection such as holding hands, getting a massage, being caressed and getting hugged are very important to our species and sometimes, people who go without being touched in an affectionate way for long periods of time often become depressed, they lose their interest in daily life activities and tend to isolate themselves from people. I've seen some people who have experienced this firsthand, and, it's quite sad. Sometimes, even when people find themselves without a significant other, they at least still have family and friends who do show them physical affection. But, there are so many people who really have no one that touches them on a regular or even on an occasional basis; these people are totally devoid of affectionate physical contact from anyone.
Some may not think it's as important as other aspects of life, a friendship or a relationship while others might think it's one of the most important things to have in their life. I personally find touch to be an integral part of my daily life; I know I couldn't go too long without being touched in an affectionate way! I feel that it would affect my moods and certain aspects of my personality and the way I view the world (and probably myself).
How important do you think touch is in your life and with people in general?
I'm very affectionate with my S/O. However, some people don't like to be touched, period. I think it's important. Humans aren't robots.
I almost never have any sort of physical contact with others. I've gone for years at a time where the only person I even hugged would be my mother at Christmas. And at least some of it is voluntary. I've never been an even remotely physical person. In the past, I've even noticed that occasionally when someone would hug me, I could feel myself (subtly) trying to pull away without even thinking about it. It's almost like my instinct was to stop being touched as quickly as possible, even though my actual thought process was nothing like that.
...It's almost like my instinct was to stop being touched as quickly as possible, even though my actual thought process was nothing like that.
I kind of wonder if some of these differences in people might be genetic? Survival of the species!
Like before we had modern medical science, things like the plague would wipe out millions of people. What if everyone regularly went around touching other people? Then everyone would be wiped out!
But with some people not wanting to touch others, they might never get certain communicable diseases and assure survival of the human race!
So it might be intentional (so far as mother nature is concerned) that not everybody is exactly the same.
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