How “touch starvation” might affect a person’s sanity during a pandemic – Mental health disorders – Drug rehab programs in Alberta and British Columbia – Options Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating drug, opiate, fentanyl, heroin, and alcohol addiction and recovery.
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The main public health practice during a pandemic is social distancing, where people maintain physical distance from others outside the home to prevent the spread of the virus. Although the spread of our social circle is important to health and safety, according to mental health counselors, losing physical contact with other people can have a significant impact on our mental health.
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Mental health counselors explain that touch plays a very important role in our life. This helps us feel less isolated and more connected to the people around us. When people are out of physical contact for long periods of time, like most of us during this pandemic, many people can be called “touch starved”. When this happens, people may see increased stress levels, depression, develop anxiety disorders, and feel more isolated and alone than normal.
Other counselors explain that loss of physical contact is so intense also because our brains instinctively function with a positive chemical response to physical contact with other people.
Oxytocin; The first chemical we talk about often is that touch activates something which is called oxytocin, or the “cuddle hormone.” It connects us to each other. We all have it, and touch makes it stronger. Oxytocin is released into the blood when certain cells are aroused by physical touch such as a hug or cuddling. Studies show that it can have a positive impact on social behavior.
Serotonin; Touch can also activate serotonin production, which helps us manage depression. Serotonin is often referred to as the “happiness hormone” because it stabilizes our moods and improves our well-being. It is also known to have physical benefits in promoting the healthy functioning of things like metabolism, physiology, and appetite.
Dopamine; Touch also activates dopamine production, which is like our “healthy, upbeat, feel-good hormone.” It is believed that dopamine has a strong connection with our pleasure and even supports our ability to think and focus.
We feel connected and engaged with other people and that can ultimately help with physical ailments. According to mental health counselors, it can even help us become healthier people in general.
Mental health counselors point out that there is something natural and comforting to touch evidence and can be seen in many of the “replacement greetings” we’ve been accustomed to over the last few months. Everything involves touch. Elbows or foot bumps, something like that. We’re still trying to find ways to connect physically, which is important to all of us.
Other counselors suggest that the effects on being touch starved may be amplified at this point because stress, anxiety, and fear are already high. The world around us is stressed and anxious and is now taking out something very calming, such as touching and intensifying any negative emotions we may experience.
At a time when we may not be able to physically touch our friends, Mental health counselors recommend using some of the pathways we promoted together at the start of the pandemic like conference calls and social distancing walks.
Compatibility is very important, and although we may not be able to touch, the relationship can counteract some negative side effects if we don’t touch in any way.
As we adapt to a world free of handshakes and hugs, it’s important to find ways to enhance touch in your life.
Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.
Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.
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