Finding Touch During Covid

My day job requires touch. I have to be physically touching people for my job to succeed. I am shampooing, massaging, combing, standing in front of people’s faces looking in close proximity. My job requires constant touch. Now we are on a lockdown where I can not practice my job. I haven’t worked since March 19th.

Sometimes when a client comes in and they’ve had a hard week the simplest form of touch like styling their hair goes a long way for the soul. Touch is our first language and a powerful form of communication from birth. We don’t realize how much we need touch.

I’m not a big hugger but I’ve recently noticed with all that is going on how much I do touch people during the week —a hug, a playful grab of the arm in mid-laugh, a tap. A simple touch, such as a hug, can release dopamine in our bodies. It reduces heart problems and boosts immune systems.

Naturally, my first thought is how am I going to make money to keep going? My second thought is how am I going to stay connected to people without touch? How do we manage to stay healthy and receive that dopamine while some have to go without it?

I imagine everyone’s answers may be different. The answer for me is reading and writing. Writing is where I connect from my core. Reading is where my core becomes inspired. As long as I stay intentional in that area I will be okay mentally.

I am not going completely without a hug, as I get my children every other week to snuggle up with! That is enough to tide me over a week. I can’t imagine some people regularly living in isolation and now do not have the choice to be around anyone to get their souls filled.

Once this is over my hugs will be off the charts and my playful taps and gentle grabs will be plentiful!