Remembering when you were a child, how did it feel when someone who loved you placed his or her hand on your shoulder as you stood confused, scared or disappointed? Can you let your guard down for a moment to experience the comfort and security that your mom or dad’s comforting touch brought as they said to you “it’s going to be ok”? Hold on to that feeling and reflect on your life a bit. How many times has that same touch encouraged you? How many times have you longed for that touch and could not find it anywhere? What if you could share your special feeling of encouragement, comfort and security with the world, would you?

 

Fear of sexual harassment, molestation and inappropriate touch claims have provoked our hands-off culture. People have become cold, robotic and desensitized. We do not even look at one another as we pass by. Does this make it easier to commit violent acts against one another? Are we fearful of connecting to the pain or hurt of our sisters and brothers? Could we possibly be scared of revealing our own fear and insecurities thus making ourselves vulnerable? As you contemplate the information you will receive in this article and on the Touch Is Great website, I hope that you will answer these questions yourself.

 

In her book, A Natural History of The Senses, author Diane Ackerman describes touch as being "as essential as sunlight... In the absence of touching and being touched, people of all ages can sicken and grow touch-starved." Dr. Tiffany Field, director of The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine agrees. "Sensory deprivation makes people depressed and immune-compromised, and gives them emotional pain and physical damage," she says.We have in our hands the cure for the poor, loveless or inadequate physical contact that is touch deprivation.

I invite you to visit www.touchisgreat.com to view touch research and articles that have been gathered together for you. I would also like to share some easy to follow recipes that cure touch hunger. As adults, we must find balance between showing our “game face” and being real. We have to break through the boundaries of fear and exercise the power to touch and heal our families and our communities. Our children and loved ones are hungry for sustenance, which does not cost a penny but has the value of millions. We are not asking you to save the world but we are suggesting that you save those you love.

It is my desire that you and your family will find refuge as you prepare tasty treats using my recipes. So take your game face off and enjoy some comfort food for the mind, body and spirit. Enjoy loving touch. 

 

So, what makes a great recipe? Is it perfect measurements? Is it the ingredients? Could it be the timing or the technique – formula or system? Two teaspoons of flour or one cup of milk are typical additives to dessert recipes but I for one have tasted bread pudding that was yuck. Too much sugar made it too sweet. Over cooking made it too dry.

 

Recipes play an important role when preparing a meal that you have not prepared before. The recipes I will share with you over the next few months are simple guidelines to assist you on your way to incorporating loving touch more often in your daily lives. You may think my recipes are corny, so I suggest that you get a journal to create your own recipes. Try to focus less on the how and more on your intention. Is your intention to enhance bonding and invoke a feeling of comfort and security? If so, you are doing great already. Keep in mind that a great recipe always includes a balanced mixture of creativity, fresh ingredients and a happy heart.

 

Today’s recipe is the hand dance. Place your hands out in front of you with your palms touching your partners. The objective is to dance with your hands without losing contact. Choose the leader before you begin each dance. Listen to the sounds of the music, the birds or wind and begin to move, slowly and fluid. Use your imagination and make circles and billowing clouds. Push, pull and roll. This dance will captivate even your youngest child. Your lover will be intrigued as you create a more intimate bond through touch. Repeat this touch recipe three times a week for five minutes each session as you practice and develop an artistic flow. There are no mistakes only opportunities to create more beautifully.

 

If you would like to share your touch experience, good or bad, visit www.touchisgreat.com and click on testimonials.

 

Versandra Kennebrew is the founder of the Touch Is Great campaign to eradicate touch deprivation in America. She is a massage therapist, speaker and workshop facilitator. She has graced thousands with her passion for the healing arts. For more information about how touch deprivation may be affecting your family, visit www.touchisgreat.com.