Originally published in HelloGiggles.com by Carolyn Steber
Remember hugging your friends, shaking hands with people at work, and kissing at the end of amazing dates? Me too…sort of. Now that it’s been months since social distancing began due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and all those options are off the table, a physical sense of loneliness is definitely starting to set in.
While it doesn’t seem like it should be a big deal, going without human touch for too long can have an impact on your overall well-being. Everyone’s different in terms of how much physical contact they need to feel good, but generally, “after several months, the side effects [of going without it will] begin to feel intense and perhaps overwhelming,” Dr. Alisa Ruby Bash, PsyD, LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist, tells HelloGiggles.
But before we dive into the impact it can have, let’s talk about how to feel more connected during the pandemic—because there are certainly lots of options. As Dr. Bash says, daily exercise, yoga, meditation, and walking can all help to increase serotonin in your brain, which means you’ll feel more positive. Sticking to a routine, even when you have nowhere to go, can also keep you in a good mental space.
Beyond that, Dr. Bash recommends watching comedies to boost your mood as well as looking for other fun outlets, like talking to friends on Zoom. And, if possible, taking advantage of any forms of touch you can get, like from a fellow socially distanced partner or close roommate. “Even one long, genuine, platonic hug from someone we trust may be enough to help our mental and physical health,” she says.
With that in mind, here are the side effects of going without human touch, according to experts.