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It’s all too easy to take our sense of touch for granted however, the skin is the body’s largest organ with sensors on every square inch. While some kinds of touch; being jostled on a crowded bus or the feel of a scratchy sweater can make us anxiety or irritable, getting rubbed the right way can melt away tension. Studies show that massage slows the heart rate, reduces blood pressure and decreases stress hormones. The good news: it doesn’t have to be a professional massage. Any kind of touch involving pressure will cause stress levels to drop. Moreover, if the person laying on hands is a loved one, so much the better. Sometimes there’s nothing like a squeeze, hug or cuddle from a family member or close friend to restore a feeling of tranquility. Physical connections to special people in your life provide a sort of shield against everyday tensions. Affectionate touch can convey love, empathy or trust. And that’s a powerful stress reducer. Stressors to try and avoid:
The next time you’re feeling over whelmed, stop to smell the roses –literally. Long dismissed as the basest of all senses, smell may actually be the most powerful. That’s because our sniffing sense is directly linked to the limbic system, the part of the brain where emotion and memory are centered. Smell is our most emotional sense and the one with the longest memory. Just one whiff of a scent from the past can bring forth a flood of feelings and vivid memories. In fact, humans are able to distinguish over 10, 000 different odors. But that’s not always a good thing… Unpleasant smells tend to increase agitation and anxiety. On the other hand, certain scents can be calming. Lavender especially has been shown to be a relaxing scent. But if you don’t like a particular aroma, it won’t make you feel relaxed. Personal preference, as well as odors you were exposed to as a child, play a big part in a scent’s therapeutic effect.
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