How can you improve your relationships through simple physical contact?

On the morning we write our blog, we go out to breakfast and examine what has been happening in our relationship lives, and what about that might add some inspiration to how all of you experience your relationships. The goal is to promote peaceful harmonious ways of relating. This morning we exchanged various thoughts, and then returned to the house to start the second part of the process: honing in on what we can offer to shine a light on some aspect of living that peace.

We had some good ideas, but it wasn’t gelling. Maude realized that she was sitting a distance away from Phil and not touching. Usually we sit quite close during this part of our process, shoulder to shoulder. She moved over into that contact and Phil, without thinking, said “Thank you.”

And there it was; the entire energy changed ever so slightly and we had our topic. Touch. Touch in all its manifestations is such an important part of our connection. There is a warmth and reassurance of being seen and heard that comes from that contact. It brings us fully into the present without any need to think about doing so. When we have something to discuss, we sit in contact. When we sleep together, we stay in contact, save during the heat of summer.

Instead of any feeling of separation, it engenders intimacy and diffuses feelings of estrangement. That is, of course, assuming there isn’t any real distance but rather some accumulated misconceptions or misunderstandings.

This contact strengthens the sense of us; that there is an entity that is not Phil and not Maude, but comes about from the metaphorical surface of contact, or even as the overlap of the two, rather like a line coming into being from the existence of two points. It softens the identity that we have with the self.

Touch must have been the very first sense that life acquired – the sense of other, of the rest of the world. That primal sense carries through to this day, sending messages that are far outside of the range of speech.

A similar immediacy can be found when you look at each other. Really look and see. While being in each other’s vision we can feel the contact, sense how much we are really present with each other. And again, that sense of being seen and heard is one of the most powerful things that can ease away our aches and fill us with a powerful positive energy. As they said in the movie Avatar, “I see you.” What a wonderful way to touch each other.

We can touch at a distance as well because love, empathy and compassion do not exist in physical space alone. Deep connections can be shared through our telephones, Facetime or even social media, if we are truly present with each other and are reaching out to touch.

In these years of Covid, we have all learned many ways of touching as we have adjusted to unfamiliar physical separations and changes to our way of being together. We visit with each other on Zoom and see into each other’s rooms while exchanging ideas and information. We have learned to create intimacy at a distance and this has come from our great need to touch each other. Hand bumps have replaced hugs, and eye contact is now primary as we often greet each other with our faces masked.

Wherever you are in your various relationships, whether in physical presence or separated by distance, whether you have a small or longer time to exchange with each other, be in touch, be present with each other. You will be amazed how your tensions disappear and your heart fills with love.

Photo credit: Phil Mayes
Photo note: Maude and Addyson on Stearns Wharf, SB

Help Us Create Our New Course

• check what works best for people (that means you!)
• get more insight into what you’re looking for 
• create the best possible course

Successful Relationship Reading Corner

This week, we wrote about the importance of touch in our blog. These articles concur, and cover a number of studies about the critical nature of touch for infants and adults alike.

The Vital Importance of Human Touch "The research demonstrating the need for human touch is vast. From a developmental standpoint, infants literally cannot survive without human touch. Touch also increases mothers' relaxation hormones and aids in the release of oxytocin."

Why Physical Touch Matters for Your Well-Being "From the time we are in the womb through our elderly years, touch plays a primary role in our development and physical and mental well-being. New studies on touch continue to show the importance of physical contact in early development, communication, personal relationships, and fighting disease."

The Importance Of Touch In Relationships "As a couples therapist, a lot of the work I do has to do with building or rebuilding meaningful connections between people. Frequently, one of the signs of disconnection in relationships is the lack of touch. Touch often plays a crucial role in maintaining connection within interpersonal relationships. Touch is essential because of the ways it communicates emotions to others and because it stimulates the production of oxytocin, sometimes known as the love hormone."

Spreading peace one relationship at a time
Phil and Maude
 
Read our blogs at PhilAndMaude.
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram
Email us at philandmaude@philandmaude.com
If you are interested in newsletters you've missed, see our archive.
 
Do you know anyone who would enjoy this newsletter? Tell them to sign up at https://philandmaude.com/signup/