Touch and Tenderness, no 3

As I said before, the skin has many functions. It is waterproof and keeps infections out. It regulates our body temperature. It protects us from knocks and blows. It has an important psychological task. It is a well known fact that young children who have not been stroked and caressed during the first days and months of their life, will retain feelings of unhappiness throughout their lives.

We can even go a step further. From our own intimate experiences we know how closely our skin is linked to our deepest emotions.

• We blush when we feel embarrassed.
• We become pale, we tremble or feel cold sweat when we are afraid.
• We glow with satisfaction and happiness when our heart rejoices.
• Human feeling has both a bodily and a psychological component. As can be seen also in all expressions of human love. To reach out to others, we touch.

John Wijngaards

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