Touch is good for you.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/01/05/touching.makes.you.healthier.health/
http://www.oprah.com/health/Health-Benefits-of-Touching
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/health-benefits-of-touch
http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug02/massage.aspx
Hugs and cuddling are part of all cultures on the planet . . . for good reason. And, also why there are couple rituals around hugs and cuddling. Likewise, massage is an extremely common couple ritual.
Turns?
- __x__ amount of minutes for each person. Or, the massage is given, but not reciprocated, at least in that moment.
- In the morning, she would give him a foot massage, and at night, he would give her one.
Degrees of massage:
- Shoulder rub through clothing
- Back rub through clothing, perhaps in a chair, or lying down
- Bare skin back massage
- Full body massage
Timing:
- Before going to bed, after bathing is the most common
- Just after waking up is another, especially if one partner gets up a little before the other one
- After work
- Scheduled: some couples put it in their calendars for a particular day/time each week
- Like the Nurture Jar ritual, massage is sometimes requested as there is a felt desire for one
Technique:
Principal Purposes Served
- Create stable touchstones
- Emotional money in the bank
- Foster nurturing, affectionate, loving contact