Is Sex a Good Substitute for Touch?
Today’s fast-paced world offers little time for intimacy or physical contact. The Internet, mobile apps, video games and other artificial means of communication have made things easier for many people. However, there are serious downsides to these inventions. The lack of physical contact leaves many people feeling isolated and disconnected from others. This isolation can leave a person feeling lonely and even increase the risk of depression. This is why the benefits of human touch are often overlooked in today’s society. Touch has numerous benefits that extend beyond simply being an enjoyable sensation. It is also a primary sense with numerous connections to other senses and areas of the brain; this means that touching something gives you much more information than just what it feels like on your skin. Read more to find out why sex alone may not be enough to satisfy your need for touch, as well as what touching can do for you in return…
What is the Benefit of Touch?
Touch plays an important role in social interactions, sexual relations, and bonding. It also has a significant role in the development of an individual's self-concept and identity. The need to be touched can vary with mood, health, and developmental stage, as well as between individuals. The frequency of touching, amount of touching, the type of touching, and the intensity of the touching will vary in keeping with each individual's need for touch. Touch can be soothing and relaxing, and it can help release tension and reduce stress. It has supportive benefits, such as decreasing anxiety and increasing feelings of safety and security. Touching also has growth-promoting benefits, including building self-esteem and increasing feelings of belonging.
Why is Sex Not Always Enough as a Substitute for Touch?
Sex is often a way for partners to experience intimacy and touch, but in and of itself, it doesn’t meet all the needs for touch and physical connection. There are many wonderful benefits to the human touch, and many are missed out on when sex is the only source of physical closeness shared between partners. Touching, especially in the form of massage or skin-to-skin contact, can release the hormone oxytocin, which is often referred to as the “cuddle hormone” or “trust hormone”. Oxytocin is known for its relaxing and anti-anxiety effects, which can be very beneficial when trying to calm down after sex. However, touching also has many other benefits that go far beyond this, such as building trust and feelings of security.
What Does Touching do for You?
Our skin is our largest organ and comes with a wide range of benefits. When we touch another person, we come in contact with their skin, and the exchange has many health benefits. Holding hands, hugging, or putting a loving touch on your partner’s face, for instance, can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increase levels of oxytocin, which can help promote feelings of calmness and security. This can be particularly beneficial when your partner is stressed out and/or anxious. Touching can also help you build social connections and a sense of compassion, and it can be a natural way to manage your own stress, anxiety, and fears. Touching can also help you improve your self-esteem and overall mood.
So, Is Sex Still Good?
Sex is a very pleasurable and enjoyable way to experience human touch. It is often used as a way to express love or intimacy between partners. Despite the benefits of human touch, sex alone may not be enough to satisfy your need for touch or intimacy. You may still feel a sense of isolation or that something is missing during sex alone. If your primary means of physical connection is sex, you may be missing many of the benefits that come with human touch. Try adding more non-sexual forms of human touch into your relationship and see if this helps to meet your need for intimacy and connection. You may find that many of the benefits described above come with human touch in any form. This can be as simple as putting your hand on your partner’s knee while you’re watching TV together, giving a back rub, or cuddling when you go to sleep.