Touch relaxes and reinforces a sense of security
When life is under a lot of strain or your sense of security is shaky, a gentle touch is a great way to help you recover. Psychologist and trained massage therapist Minna Nevala from Terveystalo Rela massage therapists explains how touch promotes mental well-being.
We need to be touched throughout our lives. It is the first sense we develop and the sense that will stay with us the longest.
- We know how important touch is to a child's development. Among other things, a parent's reassuring embrace strengthens a child's sense of security and builds a foundation for self-esteem. The power of touch also lasts throughout adult life: a hug from a loved one makes us feel secure and offers nurturing experiences, even if we didn't get enough touch as a child," says Minna Nevala, a psychologist and trained massage therapist at Terveystalo Rela.
The healing effect of touch is based on biology
The human being is a physical and psychological entity: touch has a powerful effect on our minds through the nervous system and hormones, relaxing and relieving pain, among other things.
- Massage, for example, is a good way to activate our parasympathetic or calming nervous system. This kind of soothing touch activates in particular the so-called vagus nerve, which signals the state of our body to the brain and triggers recovery. This is very tangible in the massage: the client's breathing becomes steadier and the body relaxes. Blood pressure drops for a moment. Many people stop talking at this point," laughs Minna Nevala.
In addition to massage, good ways to activate the parasympathetic nervous system include walking in the woods, consciously calming your breathing or meditating.
Touch is particularly helpful when you feel stressed or anxious
In addition to activating the parasympathetic nervous system, touch increases the secretion of pleasure hormones.
- Massage or other gentle and soothing touch releases pleasure hormones such as oxytocin, the so-called attachment hormone, dopamine, the pleasure hormone, and serotonin, the happiness hormone. At the same time it lowers cortisol or stress hormone levels.
The healing power of touch is particularly worth trying when you feel stressed or overstimulated.
- Massage, for example, is the perfect remedy for stress, as it not only calms the mind but also the body by relieving muscle tension. Muscle tension is one of the regulators of stress and when you can relieve it, the brain gets the message that you can let go of your worries. However, if the overstress is prolonged, it's a good idea to keep a low profile and contact mental wellbeing professionals," Minna adds.
Your own touch can also help - try these to calm your mind
- Stroke your own arm
- Give yourself a hug
- Petting a pet
- Take a moment for yourself and book an appointment with a masseuse, for example.
Terveystalo Rela massage therapists are available all over Finland and you can easily book an appointment online.
Latest articles
Flu season has begun: 7 tips how doctors prevent the flu
The common cold is prevalent in Finland throughout the year. However, viruses spread more readily in the fall, and the influenza season typically begins at the end of the year.
Näin Suomi voi: The decline in mental health-related sick leaves continues to accelerate
At Terveystalo, we committed at the beginning of the year to reduce mental health-related sick leave by 5% among our current customer base during 2025. This ambitious reduction target has progressed excellently during the first half of the year, with the reduction already almost doubling the target. This excellent result has been driven by the development of mental health services for occupational health customers and close cooperation with our corporate customers.
The future of work is built on curiosity and amazement – this is how you can boost your learning efficiency
The future working life will challenge our brains in entirely new ways. Organizations and individuals will have to adapt to constant change, where learning, sharing information, and utilizing diverse thinking will take center stage. It is no longer enough to master a single skill thoroughly; curiosity, the ability to innovate, and the skill to creatively combine different perspectives are also required. According to brain researcher Katri Saarikivi, cognitively stimulating work improves brain health, as long as organizations manage to ensure that the workload does not become too heavy.
Nicotine satches and e-cigarettes already pose a threat to oral health
Nicotine sachets use is increasing, especially among working-age men and women. Among young people, e-cigarette smoking has even tripled in five years. It is already known that nicotine sachets and e-cigarettes cause similar changes in the mouth as traditional smoking. Ritva Lindblad, senior dentist at Terveystalo, warns that we are only now beginning to see the first signs of the products' effects on oral health.
Terveystalo strengthens disease prevention in collaboration with Finnish health technology company MedicubeX
Terveystalo and the Finnish health technology company MedicubeX have entered into a strategic partnership that will make Terveystalo the only private healthcare provider in Finland to have access to MedicubeX's self-monitoring stations (e-Health Stations™). The aim of the partnership is to support the health of the Finnish population and prevent lifestyle diseases.
A mind-friendly and brain-healthy holiday - how to recover and recharge your batteries?
Many people start their summer holidays after Midsummer. For a holiday to soothe your mind, take a look at Terveystalo's occupational health psychologist Tiina Tuominen's tips for a restorative holiday.