Power of Touch
I could go on and on about the power of touch, especially when it comes to your parents. In this picture below I am holding my dying Dad's hand while he is sleeping at home in the family room. I left work early that day, which luckily at the time I worked only a few minutes away from my parents home in north Ballard. He had asked my Mom to call me and come over to rub his hands and scratch his back. Dad loved having his back scratched when he got home from working on the waterfront. Long days for Dad. I am quite sure it is where I get my love of touch from. I graduated from Seattle Massage School in 1998 and have been practicing massage on and off for 20 years. Unreal. I now incorporate massage in with every facial based appointment at my studio.
This particular day Dad just wanted me to rub his hands and cut his nails. I also fed him a light lunch, which on many days this is what I did without hesitation. I sorely miss touching my Dad. The back scratches, rubbing his jointed fingers from years of wear and tear. He loved it and so did I.
As people are diagnosed with any ailment, I have seen folks recoil and turn inwards when it comes to a loved one being ill. This is the time when an ailing friend or relative needs touch the most. It can be isolating and lonely to not have anyone hug you, rub your back, kiss your cheek. Hold on maybe a few more seconds than normal when hugging your dear aunt you don't see too often, but love dearly.
The power of touch is soothing, relaxing, releases oxytocin, lowers blood pressure, literally warms the heart, gets blood pumping, and can give you an all around boost. I use the power of touch in my practice every day. At times I am able to sense when a guest needs just a little extra love on the shoulder and neck massage. We tend to ignore our own aches and pains while tending to others. I sure have done this myself.
Self Care 101 = The Power of Touch. Go find a reputable and amazing local massage therapist. Support your local independent LMP! There are two snaps of a further blog I'll be posting about later.
Love Love, Ash