Showing love to your partner is something you can exhibit in different ways. Most of the time, it is not just through showering them with gifts or telling them explicitly what’s on your mind. Sometimes, a simple squeeze of their hand or a hug at the end of the day can do wonders for your relationship.
Does physical touch really affect the relationships you have? According to Dr Gary Chapman’s “The 5 Love Languages”, definitely, yes! At the core of our humanity, we want to feel accepted, cared for, and loved. And, one of the simplest ways to achieve that is through physical touch.
How Important Is Physical Touch In A Relationship?
We are born needing touch. If you think about it, babies can learn to connect and communicate through their sense of touch without being taught.
But how about for adults?
In a study, it has been found that couples who hold hands and hug have lower levels of cortisol or the stress hormone compared to the days when they don’t feel touch. Plus, in a different study, the results state that physical contact relates to the boom in oxytocin or the happy hormone, plus it also lowers down blood pressure for those with problems.
From this research alone, you’ll see that regular physical touch will not only make your partner emotionally satisfied, but it takes care of their physical health, too.
What Does Physical Touch Improve In Relationships?
For most people, they feel stronger connections when they get touched. As mentioned in the studies above, their physiological effects give us better feelings, in general.
But what does it do for our relationships?
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Touch strengthens the bond between partners.
Whenever you want to feel emotionally close, there is a need to become physically close first. This is because the feeling of touch by someone we love will boost the oxytocin in the body.
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Simple touches can ease out anxious, mad, or stressed feelings.
In relationships, fights are common. But, there’s an easy way to wave the white flag when you cannot say anything anymore. Offer a hug or hold your partner’s hand as a way to reconnect. Technically, this is not a problem solver. But it lets your partner know that you are there with them and for them.
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Physical touch can offer comfort in hard times.
Sometimes, life gives us challenges and problems that come with so much pain. Losing a loved one, for instance, brings pain that none of us can describe. A simple hug can offer comfort and security to a person you love, helping them fight and be strong.
What Should You Do If Physical Touch Is The Love Language Of Your Partner?
If your partner loves physical touch, one of the best things to strengthen your relationship is to connect to them by touch. Here are some easy things you can start with:
- Rubbing their backs when they are feeling blue
- Giving them a massage after a hard day
- Tickling to make them laugh
- Cuddling just to provide comfort
- Holding hands to let them know you are there
- Play around with a little PDA when you’re out
- Hug them every time you feel like it
- Kiss them (wherever you want) to express your love
If Your Love Language Is Physical Touch, How Do You Keep In Mind Other People’s Boundaries?
Yes, you might thrive on physical touch, but there are chances that your partner might not. It is essential to understand that relationships are a two-way street, and as much as you want to, it’s not always about you.
Remember that everyone is different at the end of the day and what might be customary to you might not be normal for them. The best thing to do is to communicate with each other and talk about your love languages. This way, you both can work on the things that make you feel loved and happy.
Let’s Talk!
Unsure about how to express your need for physical touch from your partner? Let’s have a coffee chat to discuss your thoughts and make your relationship a closer one.
