Do we underestimate the power of a simple touch?

  Human touch is the first sense we develop. Even before we can see or speak - we feel. And that first contact isn’t just physical; it’s emotional, hormonal, even vital. Touch is a form of primal communication, rich in meaning: it conveys comfort, empathy, love, or support. Scientifically, touch is responsible for releasing oxytocin, known as the “love hormone” or bonding hormone. This neurotransmitter reduces stress, promotes well-being, and strengthens emotional and social connections. It’s no coincidence that a simple hug can calm us down, offer comfort, and even change the course of a difficult day.
  But what happens when touch is absent? When the other person’s body is far away, and all that’s left is digital presence? My experience in long-distance relationships brought some real, heartfelt answers to that question.
  We dated twice over the span of three years. The first time, the absence of touch carried a weight we didn’t know how to foresee. Over time, we began to understand what it meant not to be able to share a kiss in a happy moment, not to offer a hug when the other needed it, not to enjoy a simple walk holding hands. The pain was exactly in those absences - in the little things that make love feel real and lived. That, in the end, was the great catalyst for our breakup.
  The second time we were together, it all started again with an in-person reunion - a long conversation in a park in her city. There was a touch in that moment that stayed with me. But then came the distance again. Only this time, the pain was smaller. Maybe because, with more maturity, I had learned to accept and cherish what we did have, even with limitations. I knew “forever” was waiting for us, and so the temporary absence of touch didn’t hurt as much.
  Interestingly, my third book - which I’m currently writing - was born from the intention of portraying a long-distance relationship. The idea was to allow those who’ve never been through it to understand not just the physical absence and lack of touch, but also the harsh phrases we often hear: “If you’ve never met, it doesn’t count”, “That has no future”, “You’re just kids” and “You can’t love someone you’ve never seen in person.” However, as the story developed, I realised that a book focused solely on that could become monotonous.
So I made a few changes that preserve t
he central theme but add new layers.
I think it’s going to be a good book - especially for those who enjoy romances full of feeling, mysteries, and little riddles waiting to be solved.
  Speaking of books, whenever I talk about this topic, I’m always reminded of one of my favourites: Five Feet Apart. The story is about two teenagers who meet in a hospital but can’t get closer than five feet to one another because of their illnesses. Their pain is both physical and emotional, but it feels deeply real to anyone who’s ever missed the simple touch of someone they love.
  There’s a quote in the book that stayed with me:

“Human touch, our first form of communication. Safety, security, comfort, all in the gentle caress of a finger. Or at the brush of lips on a soft cheek. It connects us when we're happy, bolsters us in times of fear, excites us in times of passion and love. We need that touch from the one we love almost as much as we need air to breathe. But I never understood the importance of touch. His touch. Until I couldn’t have it.”

  Touch really is that: presence. It’s a way of saying “I’m here” without using words. When it’s denied to us - even if by circumstance - we realise just how much we need it. And while it’s true that love can withstand distance, it’s also true that touch makes it stronger, more real… more human.
  And you… have you ever missed that one hug that takes the weight of the world off your shoulders?