What are love languages and why am I writing about physical touch?
Now is your time to learn a little bit more about ways to show love to others who appreciate physical touch!
Plot twist, if YOU are a person who speaks this love language, there are some tips on how you can add it to personalizing your self-care and self-love practices, too!
Introduction
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Gary Chapman is the marriage counselling mastermind behind the concept of the Five Love Languages. If you have never heard of this, it is time you do!
His book The Five Love Languages has multiple versions, been updated multiple times throughout the years and in a variety of languages. There is likely some truth behind his words since this is the case!
What are they?
Don’t know which one you fall under? Click HERE to do one of the quizzes!
To generalize, the idea is that head over heels love typically has an expiry date of being “enough” of about 2 years. It’s a pattern that was seen repeatedly! Why? Because partners were not feeling loved!
The lovey dovey excitement begins to fade if our “love tanks” are not being filled and we EACH have different ways we want to be shown love. Funny enough, it is typically the way we show love too!
But wait… what if our loved ones don’t have the same love language? Welp, that is where Gary Chapman’s book or these blog posts come in! Although Gary’s focus is on couples or children, there is more information coming forward regarding people recommending the use of love languages toward self-care too!
This series of posts is going to include ways to show love to others AND ourselves using love languages! Keep reading to learn more about Physical Touch!
Physical Touch
Gary Chapman, the author of 5 Love Languages, considers that touch is a powerful force because it attends to such an important sense… touch!
To me, this is the love language of physical contact… of any sort, but of course, we each have different ways we would prefer to be touched.
Pulling Away from Touch
This one is a little tricky to explain because consensual touch is key, but if your loved one is a touch kind of person, isolating them from it can be hurtful.
For example, if someone reaches out for a hug and you brush by them instead or run away.
You always have the right to refuse physical touch, but make sure it isn’t to be spiteful, otherwise you may be causing more harm than good.
Giving Love
The following are some PG descriptions of physical touch that you could consider implementing more regularly.
- Hugs.
- Kisses.
- Hand Holding.
- Dancing.
- Brief Touch in Conversation.
- Cuddling.
- Massage.
- Touch Feet When Sitting Together.
- Touching Them When They Come Home After Being Apart.
- Initiating Physical Connection
Self-Love
Stretching/Balance
Light body movement can be super helpful when it comes to self-care. Consider working on flexibility or balance by using Yoga, balancing exercises, RAD roller, Foam roller or watching stretching videos online.
Enjoy Your Senses
Have things in easy access for your senses to enjoy.
- Scents: Candles, oils, care products, plants.
- Sights: Photographs, paintings, décor, colouring.
- Hearing: Music, white noise.
- Taste: Snacks, foods you enjoy.
- Touch: Stress ball, widget spinner, soft material.
Self-Massage
Have you ever provided massage to yourself? It is possible to find different massaging techniques for your face, hands, feet, and other parts of your body! It may not be the same as when someone else helps, but why not try it?
Spa Treatment
Take a spa day at a centre or just have one at home! Facial, massage, manicure, pedicure, hot bath,
Paige Mathison
Contact Me