Speak From the Body

All good things must come to an end. I'll be back with more episodes of ‘Speak From the Body' after a break. For now, I'm leaving you with thoughts about slowing down and processing the events of recent months.   For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/break

Taking personal responsibility for our health behaviours facilitates long-term health. And personal responsibility ripples out into the sense of collective/ society health. Do you find it hard to ask for support? How does this affect you in your work/life balance? What are some simple ways you can extend your circle of support? For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/support

A solo episode about the importance of acknowledging and marking endings, how waiting can bring you into a state of presence, and the benefit of all things in moderation For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/mishmash

Tracee Stanley, shares teachings that are inspired by more than 20 years of study in the traditions of the Himalayan Masters and Sri Vidya Tantra. The focus of her teaching honours life as a ritual and she is devoted to yoga nidra, meditation, self-inquiry, nature as a teacher, and ancestor reverence.   For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/tracee-stanley

Improving and maintaining the health of the teeth, gums, tongue and mouth positively impacts the full spectrum of health. Daily dental hygiene can be considered to be a mindfulness practice, and can be aided by Ayurvedic practices and homeopathy. For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/laura-schikkerling

Anna Lovind helps feminist creatives and change-makers go from dreaming to doing- without the striving and overwhelm. This conversation is about holding a vision for what you want, and breaking down the tiny steps to get there. It’s a sustainable view of creativity and living an intentional life. For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/anna-lovind

The Four Baskets relates to the ultimate origin story: what was the story of your beginning and how has it affected your life? The Four Baskets looks through the lens of: conception, gestation, birth and the 6 hours after birth from a spiritual and awareness-orientated perspective. It’s an approach for experiencing heart-opening and self-compassion   For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/catherine-lightfoot

Julie Wright is an entrepreneur, sleep ambassador, and author of “The Natural Sleeper: A Bedside Guide to Complementary and Alternative Solutions for Better Sleep” . Julie is also the Chief Sleep Orchestrator and founder of WeSleep, a wellbeing provider focused on sleep, sleep deprivation and insomnia to a wide range of organizations and business clients. In addition, Julie is an ambassador for World Sleep Day. “Having battled with sleep issues for years, Julie embarked on a journey full of learning, discovery and therapeutic experiments to resolve them. She then started to re-energise sleep-deprived individuals by teaching them how to sleep better naturally for optimal physical and mental health. For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/julie-wright

An episode about the power of words and the process of flow writing to rediscover yourself, and how this approach has been used in hospital and care homes with people with dementia, mental ill health and carers and staff. Talking about creative expression and the sense of wholeness rather than just being defined by a label   For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/susanna-howard

Yoga is for everybody, but the dominant image is of a young, skinny, flexible girl. Donna Noble talks about creating a space of safety and inclusivity so that people can connect with their bodies and minds. The more restful and slow postures and practices are just as valid as the acrobatic, complex movements that are most commonly shared and seen.   For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/donna-noble  

A conversation with Skylar Liberty Rose about taking up space as older women and being visible. Learning to turn inwards to choose what we need and feel, rather than relying on the outer illusion of social media and other images that are presented to us. Perimenopause, body changes and how ageing doesn’t have to be associated with loss and shame. For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/skylar-rose

Did you know that many children are spending less time outdoors than prison inmates? Movement, play and fun are for everyone. Sedentary lifestyles are linked with obesity and chronic diseases and yet the solutions can be simple and fun.   For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/darryl-edwards

Molly O’Brien describes the 3 disruptors of physiological birth. She aims to bring biomechanics (the study of human movement) back into birth. Improving the baby’s position and balancing the pelvis can help to lessen difficult births. Freedom of movement and autonomy.  For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/molly-obrien

What if we took the focus away from self-care and self-development and instead created an approach to health that addresses groups and communities? People power can be vital for dealing with issues such as addiction, and mental health as well as learning and maintaining new habits such as meditation and running. For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/community

Françoise Freedman, social anthropologist and founder of Birthlight, shares her approach of simple practices that support women to feel more confident and at ease in pregnancy. Her work weaves together yoga foundations, and knowledge gained whilst living in community in the Upper Amazon For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/Francoise-freedman

Have you noticed how clearing your physical environment helps you to have a calmer state of mind? In this episode we talk about how trauma and stressful life events can result in a build-up of clutter. You can keep your possessions and space in order by creating simple systems and then maintaining them For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/helen-sanderson

A short journaling practice to help you to reflect on a recent time and make space for something new in your life. For the full shownotes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/reflect

A tiny practice to help to cope when things aren’t going to plan. Instead of letting tension build up into discomfort and pain, experience release. Scan the body, clench and melt any areas of held tension and shake it away. For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/clench-melt

Even in today’s world, talking about female sexuality and orgasms can still be a taboo. In this conversation, Mangala Holland talks about shame, boundaries and how sexual pleasure enables flow in all areas of life. For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/mangala-holland

Seasonal Affective Disorder can make the winter a real struggle. Here are some simple and soothing tools to support your mind, body and emotions.   For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/sad

Supporting babies and children to move, learn and grow through play and connection. Play is needed for children and adults alike. Exploring the importance of occupational therapy for early intervention, and addressing the sensory and motor skills that are needed for healthy development. How to adapt to individual needs, such as the need for tactile stimulation. For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/munira-adenwalla

Menopause can be described as the ‘autumn’ of your life. In this conversation we talked about the taboo of menopause and how to have conscious conversations about this rite of passage. Exploring why some women sail through menopause and others are besieged by challenges such as brain-fog and anxiety. And simple ways to manage common symptoms. For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/Caroline-gaskin

Kreena shares her lessons and powerful story of experiencing breast cancer, heart failure and infertility and pursuing motherhood through surrogacy and donor conception. She talks about speaking out as a South Asian woman, in a community that can be very private, and how sharing stops shame and stigma. Kreena talks about finding beauty and gratitude, even from the painful and difficult things.   For the full shownotes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/kreena-dhiman

The ‘busy busy’ culture stops us from finding true health. Rest is an important part of being well, and not just a reward for productivity. It’s easier to create and enjoy rest rather than to be forced to stop. For the full shownotes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/timetorest

Life can often feel too busy to see a way to create change. Change doesn’t need to be radical. Little steps soon build up. The first step is making space. You can make space in your head, body, diary and living environment. Here are some easy ways to make space so that you can listen to what your body needs next.   For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/makespace

The Intuitive Way to Wellness is a slow, gentle and individual way of looking at health and wellbeing. When you listen to your bodily wisdom, you become the expert of your body. This is the first of a series of 3 episodes about this approach to health and wellbeing. For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/iww

We’re told we should love ourselves, but it can feel rather awkward can’t it? Alex from Nini Organics radiates love and positivity. In this episode he talks about positive mindset, acceptance, self-love, gut health and caring for your skin.   for the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/alex-nicolaou

Do you think of yourself as creative? What if we all realised that creativity is something that is accessible and that supports the full spectrum of our health? And it needn’t add to your priorities, but can instead be enhanced what’s noticing what’s already around you. If you’re led by your to-do list, then you’ll love hearing about creativity and play. It’s the perfect approach for anyone who needs permission to sit still, or who can’t slow their busy mind.   For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/shannon-read

According to Michel Odent, who has been attending births since 1953 and is now in his 90s, society is at a precipice. It’s time to change our way of thinking and enter a new paradigm. We need to be asking “why some births go so well”, rather than “why birth is difficult”. He talks about how important the transition into birth is, and the need for protecting this time. Waiting for the initiation of labour, including for caesarean births wherever possible, so that the baby is ready to be born. This is a cultural conversation for everyone: not just doctors, midwives, doulas and pregnant women. For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/michel-odent

Human beings need to feel safe so that we can thrive. That’s not easy to do right now, especially during a pandemic, with so many environmental, social and political issues in the forefront of our minds.  Finding safety can be simply and accessible and I’m sharing my easiest tips so that you can feel more settled. For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/feel-safe

Have you ever felt constricted by what other people think you ‘should’ be? In this episode, I speak to artist Sheree Mack https://www.instagram.com/livingwildstudios/ about reclaiming her true voice and learning to express herself authentically and fully. We talk about her new project: ‘The Earth Sea Love Podcast’, which explores women of colour and their relationship with the natural world. For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/sheree-mack

Sophrology is a mind-body approach to life that incorporates breathwork, relaxation, visualisation and movement. It can be a useful approach to address stress and anxiety, prepare for birth, enhance performance and facilitate change.   For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/dominique-antiglio

The fourth trimester/ postpartum period can be challenging. Here are some suggestions to support the new mother, couple and baby to feel more relaxed and integrated in this stage of life. For the Full Shownotes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/diane-speier

Connecting with the element of water is one of the simplest and most versatile ways of supporting our physical, emotional and mental health. You can drink water, behold it or immerse yourself in a relaxing bath, floatation tank or the ocean. Cold water swimming is having a surge in popularity and is good for mental, physical and emotional health.

Are you tired of rushing around, without the time and space for what’s truly important to you? Yarrow Magdalena lives a soft and intentional life, working from home in Scotland and creating offerings for her inclusive community about rituals, business and healing. She shares her philosophy that a slow, sustainable life can be just as creative and impactful. For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/yarrow-magdalena

It should be obvious that placing a woman at the centre of her antenatal care is vital, but it sadly isn’t always the case. In this conversation, midwife Elsie Gayle and I explore continuity of care in midwifery and the rise in birthing outside of the system, (a.k.a freebirthing), when women choose a non-medicalised experience or feel like they have no other choice (perhaps because of previous experiences). For the Full Show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/elsie-gayle

Herbal Medicine is a way of supporting health for individuals and for building community. Plant medicine and sharing knowledge and skills for all. Catch the full show notes at https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/rasheeqa-ahmad

Emotions such as fear, shame and anger can be difficult to identify and release in the body. When we release blocks, we can access greater joy and pleasure. Also talking about the transformational aspect of the menopause For the Full Show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/marcela-widrig

Tips on how to re-emerge after lockdown, as well as time away for any other reasons including surgery, compassionate leave, illness, holiday, retreat or giving birth.   For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/reemerge

What if everyone realised that the true expert is within? How different birth and humanity could be if decisions were made around love rather than fear. Birth choices and embodying birth.  For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/maha-almusa

How to effortlessly bring intentionality and sacred rituals into everyday tasks as well as opening up to the unseen world around you and reconnecting with womb wisdom as the seat of power. Talking to Chloe Isidora, author of ‘Sacred Self-care’: Everyday rituals for a more joyful and meaningful life’ For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/chloe-isidora https://www.chloeisidora.com  Instagram @chloeisidora

Do you feel overwhelmed about using spices to enhance your cooking? Learn how to layer flavours with whole and ground spices to create tasty dishes.   For the full show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/ren-patel

If you’ve been transfixed by ‘Normal People’ or ‘I May Destroy You’, it might have something to do with the powerful intimate scenes. In this episode I’m speaking to Ita O’Brien, Intimacy Coordinator and founder of Intimacy on Set, about consent, choreography and storytelling. Full Show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/ita-obrien

A conversation about learning through play and movement and inspiring potential and self-leadership in childhood. The role of teaching to create a space for play where it’s safe to make mistakes. Full Shownotes:  https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/alison-kriel   Resources: Alison Kriel website Twitter Above and Beyond Education Bryn Llewellyn from Tagtiv8 Ted Talk

Why is it that two people can experience the same stressful event, but have very different outcomes? In this episode I speak with Steve Haines, chiropractor, craniosacral therapist and TRE teacher about deepening feeling, changing the narrative and addressing pain and trauma.   Show notes: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/steve-haines

In the 50th episode of ‘Speak From the Body’, I’m speaking with Kerstin Uvnäs Moberg about her pioneering research on oxytocin. She shares how the research has progressed, so what was originally thought of as a hormone of motherhood (birth and breastfeeding), is now understood to be a crucial part of growth and healing for everyone, men and women, young and old. Oxytocin is released with touch and pleasure and inhibited by stress, and we talk about the implications of this in Lockdown. SHOW NOTES: https://www.avni-touch.com/podcast/kerstinuvnasmoberg

These are heavy times. There have been big themes of illness, isolation, suffering, hypocrisy, violence, injustice and inequality that have been headlining the news. Climate change, politics, race and class inequality, a global pandemic. Our world as we’ve known it is in intense change. It’s noticeable that more and more people are using their voices and their platforms to stand up and be counted and share their voice on the things that matter.  This gives me hope. If we join together as a collective, we can create the change that’s needed. But there are times when you can’t ever see a way out of the distress. In this episode I wanted to share some ideas so that you can keep going, even if you’re in despair, and your heart feels heavy and shattered.

Dr. Jessica Drummond is the CEO of The Integrative Women’s Health Institute and author of Outsmart Endometriosis. She holds licenses in physical therapy and clinical nutrition and is a board certified health coach. She has 20 years of experience working with women with chronic pelvic pain, facilitates educational programs for women’s health professionals in more than 60 countries globally, and leads virtual wellness programs for people with endometriosis. Dr. Drummond lives and works with her husband and daughters between Houston, Texas, and Fairfield, Connecticut. In this episode we talked about: Jessica started to incorporate a Functional Medicine approach in her work as a Physical Therapist after personal experience of adrenal fatigue related to Epstein-Barr and secondary infertility Working with nutrition and pelvic or chronic pain clients The American healthcare system is complex and costly The Integrative Women’s Health Institute https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/ The power of listening and trusting that the patients knows themselves better than anyone Burnout for clinicians as cogs in the healthcare system is rife Giving people autonomy over their schedule, to enable a more personalised and cyclical life, could hugely improve productivity Work will forever be changed post-Covid-19 The Industrial Revolution working day of 8am-5pm is aligned with the male hormonal health. Male testosterone peaks around 7.30am, drops off around 12pm and declines by 3.30/4pm Now we have more accessibility to work remotely, and for different hours Some kids are studying better during lockdown as the old schedules don’t have to be adhered to People will start to create their own schedules and their own ways of working, which can enhance productivity Endometriosis can be pointed to by: family history, history of GIT symptoms, pain during intercourse, painful periods, bladder pain, vulvar pain, fatigue and anxiety, infertility Diagnosis of endometriosis is by laparoscopy Surgery is advised in teens or twenties Functional nutrition to optimise the immune response If lesions are not seen on imaging, it does not rule out endometriosis Relating to others who have also had a chronic/ mystery illness Having to make complicated decisions without having all the information An anti-inflammatory diet, close to paleo to optimise digestive function The benefits of simple cooking techniques Daily herbs and spices such as garlic, oregano, rosemary, ginger and tumeric “Nutrition is a huge needle-mover” The power of a consistent meditation/ mindfulness/ prayer practice to calm the nervous system and as an antidote to modern life Committing to sleep better: turn off blue light exposure around 8.30/9pm, have exposure to daylight for setting the circadian rhythms, having a buildup of adenosine (burning the energy that builds up during the day), balancing blood sugar levels To determine the right intensity of exercise, ask yourself “do I feel nourished or depleted” straight after, 2 hours after and the next morning after exercise Walk for 30 minutes a day 10 minutes twice a day of bodyweight strength training Prior to ovulation is when testosterone and oestrogen levels are at their highest, so where you can push the workout and performance. In the luteal phase, post-ovulation, maintain those gains. Just before the period is a great recovery time e.g more sleep, stretching, walking Space to slow down and keep things in balance Resources:   Outsmart Endometriosis – Jessica’s Newest Book! Outsmart Endometriosis: Relieve Your Symptoms and Get Your Career Back on Track Nutrition for Relieving Pelvic Pain: Fueling the Patient/Practitioner Healing Partnership Nutrition for Relieving Pelvic Pain: Fueling the Patient/Practitioner Healing Partnership

Mira Manek is a wellness consultant and the author of Prajna—Ayurvedic Rituals for Happiness. Her first book was Saffron Soul, a cookbook focusing on healthy Indian vegetarian and vegan recipes, published in 2017. Mira also has her own café Chai by Mira in Kingly Court, inside Triyoga Soho. www.miramanek.com @miramanek We recorded this episode during lockdown in the UK. Tools that Mira has found helpful during this time include running and doing online classes on alternate days, making chai and sitting outside on sunny mornings. She’s aware of the link between exercise and diet on how she feels, and prioritises good habits to feel well during this time Mira used to have digestive issues and knows the impact of snacking rather than eating cooked meals The blessing of connecting with nature and seeing what you wouldn’t normally notice Consistent actions helps towards results  Journaling e.g 3 things you are grateful for, or asking yourself “How do I feel right now? How do I want to feel? What actions will get me there” Evening stretches, breathwork, listening to a podcast. Seeing how things are  3 things for the body, 3 things for the mind, 3 things for the soul Tuning in each day to see what your mind and body needs  Daily activities such as walking, stretching and breathwork can be done in a meditative way Candle meditation is said to strengthen the eyes  We transmit our energy into our food when cooking, so creative and positive energy is helpful Mira comes from a large Indian family and grew up eating home-cooked Gujarati food. Her diet changed at a new school aged 17 and she put on weight. Mira then started dieting and developed a difficult relationship with food. Coming back to home-cooked food was healing for her. She learn to cook Gujarati food when she was 30. Going back to simplicity for more nourishment Traditional medicine and body types, so there’s uniqueness Resources: https://miramanek.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rituals-for-Happiness.pdf Miramanek.com @miramanek

Naomi has been teaching yoga full time since 2002. Over this time she has developed a deeply compassionate style of teaching that emphasises the therapeutic benefits of yoga and also its potential to uplift and inspire. In 2012, she set up Yoga on the Lane with the intention of creating a dynamic community of teachers and students united by their commitment to practicing mindful, breath-led, vinyasa yoga. And then, in 2015, she designed the 200hr Yoga on the Lane Teacher Training Programme, which has set more than fifty brilliant new teachers off on their own paths. In October 2019 her first book, Yoga: A Manual for Life was  published by Bloomsbury, and is currently being translated into six languages. In this episode: Adapting from having a neighbourhood yoga studio, ‘Yoga on the Lane’ in Hackney, London, to an attic studio teaching classes online during lockdown The surprising intimacy of continuing classes online and connected community ‘Yoga: A Manual for Life’ came out in 2019  The reality of being on screens more  A time to renew, challenge and push boundaries Managing highs and lows and finding balance with Type 1 diabetes Daily space to meditate or practice yoga to support energy levels and lessen anxiety The link between autoimmune conditions and empathetic personality types ‘Little and often’ practices are little moments for yourself Many people don’t ever have their ‘Teacher’ or a lineage, but we can all tune into our own experiences and find our own way Noone ever feels ready Naomi joined the Royal Ballet School at 12 years old and was in a competitive environment but experienced camaraderie and deep friendship In the Royal Ballet Company from 17 until 21 and retired following a stress fracture in her foot Contradictions between ballet and yoga - working on turnout (Charlie Chaplin stance), so standing with parallel legs was a challenge initially  Initially Naomi practiced Bikram (hot) yoga and brought competitiveness, striving and pushing to her practice. She studied pregnancy yoga with Francoise Freedman founder of Birthlight and her soft, rounded approached opened up a new way of teaching Not a hierarchy but a collective Celebrating what your body can do The power of yoga beyond the mat Evolving from an extreme yoga practice to one that’s more poetic  “Connecting to the body and feeling part of an experience beyond my skin” Yoga is democratic- everyone is breathing.  Naomi remembers creating meditative space and doing visualisation as a child Retreats at Gaia House  Explore meditation by finding a space, making time, and start by sitting and watching the breath for 2 minutes The nervous system can’t take on too much change at once, it wants to shift gently over time Sit with your hips higher than your knees, against a cool wall You can create a shrine for yourself with an image that’s meaningful and a candle to burn if you want to, but these are extras If you’re struggling with sleep, try not to implement practices just before going to bed. Instead, affirmations such as “I am resting well” or “I am supported by my sleep” can be helpful to repeat throughout the day. Then, a restorative yoga practice later in the evening can be supportive, such as lying with the legs above the wall to drain the effort of the day, or lying over a cushion on the belly. Some yoga postures in the morning can help to raise energy levels if you haven’t slept well Practicing with children as a playful exploration and embracing the chaos. Seeing children as guides in order to break through patterns Resources: Yoga On the Lane  Yoga: a Manual for Life book  Instagram Instagram: Yoga on the Lane 

Touch is our first sense. It’s how we engage with and explore our world.  Touch is key to survival. We quickly pull away from something sharp or hot, but nestle in towards warmth and comfort.  Right now, we need to be retreating into our homes for the safety of ourselves and one another. Human beings are social beings. Even if you’re a strong introvert like I am, we need human connection and contact.   Touch may be high up in your list of love languages (If you don’t already know about this, it’s a book by Gary Chapman where we each have an order of preference of ways we show and receive love. As well as touch, they are words of affirmation, receiving gifts, acts of service and quality time. Our love languages are often different from our loved ones and it’s an important part of communication to know about one another.  So for those who know that they need a lot of touch, it’s particularly challenging. The Massage in Schools project many years ago showed increased concentration and less loneliness, stress and bullying when pupils gave one another simple and clothed massage. For babies, kangaroo care where they are worn in a sling or held helps their growth and cognition. And skin to skin between parents and their newborns  Helps to deepen bonding.  I recommend that parents return to skin to skin as often as possible especially when they face bumpy times such as teething or sleep issues.  There’s a term that I’ve only come across recently called ‘skin hunger’ , that describes the lack of touch that many people are experiencing. We still need touch in our lives.  It’s part of our humanity. Touch deprivation affects our health.  In whatever ways you can, try to connect with touch in your daily life. Here are some ideas:   Feed your skin with light skin brushing or when you’re applying shower gel. Consciously connect with each body part in a state of gratitude for what your body does for you each day. Use thicker creams such as shea butter that need a little effort to work into the skin. Stroke or gently brush your hair. Give yourself a scalp massage. Apply essential oils to your pulse points. I’m going through a rose phrase, but cedar wood is grounding and lavender is calming. When you’re washing your hands, do it with your full attention so you can stimulate the receptors on your palms and between your fingers Treat your feet to your softest, fluffiest socks. Wear fabrics such as merino wool, bamboo, silk, brushed cotton or cashmere that feel sumptuous against the skin. A weighted blanket helps to feel more grounded and safe. If you’re isolating with loved ones, cuddle up as much as you can. Have a daily hug for more than 8 seconds to get the oxytocin, or hormone of connection, flowing. For those that are caring for very young children and are maxed out on touch, submerge your body in a bath as often as you can, especially with the lights dimmed or even off to close the senses, like a homemade sensory deprivation chamber. We need to avoid touching our faces when we are out and about for risk of infection, but with well-washed hands, give yourself a face massage. The top of the upper lip is a very soothing place to touch if you’re feeling anxious or unsettled, as are the ears.     I have an episode with an eminent researcher on oxytocin and touch coming out in a few weeks time. The new understanding is that oxytocin is not just the hormone of pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding, but it’s one that we need at all stages of our lives and for men and women and so touch is vital for us all. We need positive touch to lower our stress hormone levels and help us to feel more connected and calm.   Our hands express what’s felt in the heart. So whilst we need to limit touch outside of the safety of home, we can connect by kneading bread, crafting, growing plants and filling our senses with things that evoke us such as beautiful music, comedy and poetry. In Pablo Neruda’s words, ‘Hands make the world each day’. Reading: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/skin-hunger-coronavirus-human-touch?fbclid=IwAR3tCSTzQgo69UdgF6wk7Vuyrek6NNmO8pVckPdECOZne3Mk_DgnX9dEYYc https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/apr/21/skin-hunger-touch-saved-me-from-unbearable-loneliness-what-will-we-become-without-it?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other https://www.5lovelanguages.com/