Hugging or holding hands you may often do with your partner to express affection. However, behind that, there are many benefits of physical touch or skinship you can get, from reducing stress to strengthening your relationship with your partner.
Not only through words, affection or love can also be expressed through physical touch or skinship. Besides being able to maintain the harmony of your relationship with your partner, physical touch can also provide many health benefits.
Benefits of Physical Touch or Skinship with Couple
Physical touch or skinship has a variety of benefits for the physical and mental health of you and your partner. Following are some of the benefits:
1. Strengthening relationships with partners
Regular physical touch with your partner can make the inner and emotional connection between you and your partner stronger. This is because physical touch, such as hugging or holding hands, can increase the hormone oxytocin.
Oxytocin is a hormone that makes you feel better. This hormone will also increase when you feel affection or an intense emotional connection.
Therefore, to get closer emotionally to your partner, you can increase physical touch, for example by hugging each other while sleeping.
2. Relieve stress
When you come into physical contact with loved ones, your body produces a chemical in your brain called serotonin. This substance can cause feelings of happiness. Physical touch can also lower the stress hormone or cortisol.
That's why physical touch, such as holding hands or cuddling with a partner, can make your heart beat more regular, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress. Physical touch with those closest to you can also make you feel less lonely.
3. Strengthen the body's resistance
Some research shows that physical touch is also beneficial for strengthening the immune system. This is thought to be because physical touch with people you care about can reduce stress and make you feel happier, thus contributing to an increase in the work of the immune system.
4. Relieves pain
Body aches, such as back pain, muscle aches, and headaches, can occur when you're stressed, injured, or unfit. There are several ways to deal with pain, from getting enough rest to taking pain relievers.
However, there are also natural ways that you can do to reduce pain, namely by physical contact. Research shows that physical touch can make the body release endorphins. This hormone is a pain and stress reliever hormone.
Giving each other physical touch in a relationship is an important thing to do every day. Therefore, it never hurts for you and your partner to start trying to show affection through physical touch or skinsip.
During this COVID-19 pandemic, physical distancing is one of the health protocols that must be implemented. Therefore, you need to be more vigilant and make sure you wash your hands and clean yourself before touching your partner, especially after activities outside the home.
If you still have questions about the benefits of physical touch or skinship, you can consult a psychologist. You can also ask further about how to strengthen your relationship with your partner.
