Social Distancing: The Abstinence From Physical Contact

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Abstract

ts felt by those who spend long periods in prison isolation.In a classic experiment conducted by the American psychologist Harry Harlow in the 50s, the macaque cubs separated from their mother tended to crouch near a puppet mum made of hot towels instead of a fake wire made mum, and this even when the wire made mother had food to offer. The baby monkeys preferred a mother to hug.THE NEUROSCIENCES OF TOUCH. This need accompanies us through adulthood: the handshake dampens the tension before a meeting, the pat on the shoulder reassures during a test or examination, the five beat during the timeout strengthens the sense of belonging to the team. The touch of the skin stimulates the pressure receptors and sends information to the vagus nerve, one of the cranial nerves. Vagus nerve activity relaxes the nervous system, slows the heartbeat, lowers the pressure. Touching the skin stimulates the release of oxytocin, a hormone characteristic of childbirth and sexual activity that facilitates the strengthening of bonds.<figure id="e860"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*GNt7PdiTLXirBD3PtiRrxA.jpeg"><figcaption>Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels</figcaption></figure><p

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id="b238">A PORTENTOUS STRESS RELIEVER. Above all, the touch lowers the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol: that’s why when we are scared we instinctively seek the hand of those around us. High levels of cortisol adversely affect the immune system because they kill natural killer cells, lymphocytes that recognize and attack cells affected by tumors or viral infections. Ironically, at a time when we would most need to relieve stress and strengthen the body’s defences, we are deprived of an essential weapon to do so.PLEASANT. Being hugged or caressed on the skin stimulates the release of serotonin: too low levels of this hormone of well-being are related to disorders such as insomnia, anxiety and depression. As Alberto Gallace, professor of psychobiology and physiological psychology at the University of Milano-Bicocca, explained to Wired UK, human beings are by nature social creatures, and our brains and nervous systems are made to make the touch a pleasant experience: «Nature — he explains — has designed this sensory mode to increase our feelings of well-being in social contexts. It is only present in social animals that need to stay together to maximize their chances of survival».</article></body>

The neuroscience of «skin hunger», abstinence from physical contact that defines this phase.

Photo by Shutterstock

The year without hugs, the year in which we had to limit the opportunities for physical contact to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19, risks leaving important psychological repercussions on those who live alone. Cuddles, handshakes, dinners in company and other forms of physical proximity offer the Coronavirus possible opportunities to spread, and physical distancing is a necessary condition to extinguish the pandemic.

However, for the Human Being physical contact is a primary necessity: abstinence from touching others has a precise scientific name — skin hunger — as well as important effects on mood, from stress to insomnia to depression.

LIKE THE AIR. The need for physical contact is a primary biological necessity: it is the reason why newborn babies are placed on the bare chest of their parents, it is one of the first wants felt by those who spend long periods in prison isolation.

In a classic experiment conducted by the American psychologist Harry Harlow in the 50s, the macaque cubs separated from their mother tended to crouch near a puppet mum made of hot towels instead of a fake wire made mum, and this even when the wire made mother had food to offer. The baby monkeys preferred a mother to hug.

THE NEUROSCIENCES OF TOUCH. This need accompanies us through adulthood: the handshake dampens the tension before a meeting, the pat on the shoulder reassures during a test or examination, the five beat during the timeout strengthens the sense of belonging to the team. The touch of the skin stimulates the pressure receptors and sends information to the vagus nerve, one of the cranial nerves. Vagus nerve activity relaxes the nervous system, slows the heartbeat, lowers the pressure. Touching the skin stimulates the release of oxytocin, a hormone characteristic of childbirth and sexual activity that facilitates the strengthening of bonds.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

A PORTENTOUS STRESS RELIEVER. Above all, the touch lowers the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol: that’s why when we are scared we instinctively seek the hand of those around us. High levels of cortisol adversely affect the immune system because they kill natural killer cells, lymphocytes that recognize and attack cells affected by tumors or viral infections. Ironically, at a time when we would most need to relieve stress and strengthen the body’s defences, we are deprived of an essential weapon to do so.

PLEASANT. Being hugged or caressed on the skin stimulates the release of serotonin: too low levels of this hormone of well-being are related to disorders such as insomnia, anxiety and depression. As Alberto Gallace, professor of psychobiology and physiological psychology at the University of Milano-Bicocca, explained to Wired UK, human beings are by nature social creatures, and our brains and nervous systems are made to make the touch a pleasant experience: «Nature — he explains — has designed this sensory mode to increase our feelings of well-being in social contexts. It is only present in social animals that need to stay together to maximize their chances of survival».