ABSTRACT
Some readers persuaded by the evidence in favour of touch may wish to relax the touch taboo in their lives and, in the case of therapists, in their practice. There are various ways to do this. Raising awareness of one’s own tactile beliefs, preferences and habits is a helpful starting point, for example by keeping a ‘touch diary’ of feelings and thoughts about one’s tactile experiences; exploring one’s tactile history (did the people in or outside my childhood family touch me in a way that I liked?); and looking for patterns in one’s tactile responses....
It is fruitful also to seek out ways of experiencing more touch, of creating a more tactile environment for oneself, for instance by forming ‘hugging circles’ with others in one’s neighbourhood or work/leisure place who would like more touch in their lives; engaging in activities that involve touch, such as one-to-one massage, a massage course, or certain forms of dance/movement to which touch is integral; attending therapy with a therapist who uses touch; joining workshops on touch, or creating your own.
Exercises are suggested that might be used in tactility workshops.
