What is Skin Hunger?
“The pandemic has brought to light many things – the joy and necessity of in-person connection for one, but for two, the importance of something you might not know there’s a label for: skin hunger.
Most People Have a Desire for Healthy Physical Tough
Skin hunger, or touch deprivation, is a longing to touch or be touched in a social way. It can be as casual as a pat on the back or as intimate as cuddling.
People often don’t notice their desire for physical touch unless there’s a chasm between the amount they receive and the amount they want to receive. When there’s not enough, you definitely notice.
When you don’t get enough touch, you can start to feel ill at ease, blue, lonely, stressed, and perhaps listless. Not receiving touch when you have a need for it is like a flower that’s drooping from lack of water – you’re surviving but not necessarily thriving.
Are You Feeling Touch Deprived?
If you’re feeling touch deprived, what can you do about it, especially if you don’t have a regular partner or live alone?
Touch the people in your life – with their permission
If there are friends in your life that are open to it, ask if you can hug them. Greet them with a hug hello or a hug goodbye.
Pets
The bond between humans and pets is deep and petting an animal can provide many of the same effects as touch from a human. If you have a pet at home, spend time with them. If you don’t, going to animal shelters and cat cafés to experience physical touch is an option.
Pamper yourself
You can also receive lesser amounts of physical touch by going to a nail salon or getting your hair done. Both activities require touch from someone else and if you don’t want to get your hair cut, you can schedule a wash and blow-dry.
Go partner dancing.
Partner dances such as salsa, swing, and blues require, well, a partner, and that means physical touch, even if it’s only via the hands.”
Read the full article on Good Therapy
✨Takeaway: Skin-to-skin contact is advised for newborns because of the need to touch skin that develops from birth. There are certain people who don't need or desire to be touched. Others, on the other hand, prefer to be touched frequently. Skin hunger has a continuum, and most people fall somewhere around the middle.
✨Reflection: Do you like hugs?
#Touch #Wellness #Wellbeing #Health #MentalHealth #Hugs
@innateJoy9602 Do I like hugs? Yes and no. When I first came here even the idea of virtual hugs made me cringe. They're ok now and I like giving those myself. But I don't have alot of people in my life to go to for actual hugs. The desire for hugs is there but so is a fear of being touched. Kind of sad something so simple is so complicated at the same time :/
@mytwistedsoul I can feel you soul. Personally for me when i get to know someone in deeper level, hugs and touches are fine and i feel happy about it but if someone isn't that close, i don't really like them touching me or anything like that. Maybe there comes the desire for hugs as well as the fear of being touched as you mentioned. I hope, someday, you maybe able to get as much as the desired hugs. I can't hug you physically currently but here's the virtual hug for you. 
@pandanfe This is so nice :) Thank you! Sending a a hug back
@mytwistedsoul
I get it! I used to feel the exact same way. Being touched by anyone can be uncomfortable for some. A hug does seem simple on the surface. But when you think about it, it does involve a lot more. Boundaries, comfortability, personal space, vulnerability, etc.. So, I definitely understand why it can be hard! 💜
@innateJoy9602 I figure maybe one day I'll be ok with it. I mean it took time to just be comfortable with virtual hugs and I know it's just an online thing. So hopefully eventually - one day it'll be more comfortable Thank you :)
@innateJoy9602
Do I like hugs?
In real or virtually depends on how comfy I feel with the other person.
🤗
@VictoriaLove7
I hear you! It depends on many factors! Virtual hugs are easier personally!
Also, lovely to see you around more! 💜
@innateJoy9602
This reminds me of an article I read a while ago about how rare physical touch can be for men who are not in a stable romantic relationship or have family they are on good terms with. Typically the only touch these single men consist of unwanted touch like being shoved or in an actual fight. They might get a pat on the back or a fist bump, if they are lucky enough to have male friends who don't see male touch as something awkward.
It's been some years since I read that article and it helped me to realize that although I think of myself as more of an introvert, I do enjoy physical touch like hugs, high fives, and other forms of skin to skin contact. This is especially true now that we've gone thru the pandemic. I feel fortunate to have family and social circles where hugs, handshakes, and other forms of touching are the norm. I think during the pandemic, I even purposely started going to places where touch is part of the routine as play such as in the martial arts where grappling occurs almost every time and dance where the instructor touches students for correction :)
Thank you for sharing :)
@Espejo
I’ve heard about that actually. And that men are also less likely to have friends who they can go to for comfort. That’s sad to hear. Men deserve comfort and hugs just as much.
I’m glad you have a good support system around you to get that from. As an introvert myself, I commend you for being opened to physical tough! The pandemic definitely made things a lot harder. But, I am happy that you found martial arts!💜
