Fight off loneliness with touch | Helena Backlund Wasling | TEDxGöteborg

[@michaelmiller1600]

This woman is a healthy, happy person and she delivers an important message. She is a brain researcher. What she says is backed up with tons of research. But the reaction she gets from the comments are people (the product of our civilization) with their own problems, perhaps case histories of the very thing she is talking about --- the result of lack of touch and body contact in early childhood.

[@auma3298]

Thank you Michael for explaining the purpose of this informative vide to unfortunately many complainers who didn't get it.

[@carliejung8408]

It's sad that this talk is not that popular. THIS SUBJECT IS IMPORTANT!!

[@slcncr]

"Touch is present in the everyday life". Not in mine. I haven`t had a tender Hug in the last 31 Years.

[@legoproductions7286]

thats so sad....

[@kittymellow5864]

Kitebuggy I am so sorry. I’m a hugger and I can’t imagine life without it... even if I’m the one doing all the hugging. It’s weird because I am a seriously shy person and barely talk to people and yet I feel so comfortable giving someone a hug. I would say that if you just want a hug, wait for a time when it feels right and have the courage to hug someone else. They probably want one too but are just too scared of your potential reaction.

[@shanegallant9018]

Wow. I'm shocked at how few people liked this video. This all rings so true to me. Thank you, Helena Backlund Wasling for this inspirational video!

[@786swe]

@Melmano She dies not understand anything.

[@martinbeco]

Excellent talk. This woman is touching a delicate subject for northern cultures(Like the Europeans or the Americans), where human touch is less common than in southern cultures (Like the Latin Americans or the Africans) When a baby is born in Mexico, the extended family is there. And the baby is touched and carried by practically all the relatives. When a baby is born in a first world country, only the parents hold the baby. Most Mexican doctors will claim that this loving atmosphere is healthy for the baby. And here is a fact: There are less cradle deaths in third world countries than in first world countries. Sadly, I have met British and Germans who do not like hugs. In Mexico, every one hugs. It´s part of our culture, and We think it odd to see people who disdain a hug.

[@martinbeco]

Group hug!!!!!!

[@mdjwbd]

You are so right!

[@iolandaribeiro6297]

Wonderful this lady touched my heart. I loved this issue, very important.

[@NiklasHallden]

More hugs to the people!

[@Caarnji]

+Apollon Abaddon Yes, but only in your prison cell.

[@Caarnji]

Apollon Abaddon Yes.

[@thefreedomhub]

yesss

[@SoapyTitsWank]

"Get out there and touch more". This might result in the odd arrest or two.

[@CharlotteFairchild]

Free Hugs did land the guy in jail once. Now he is probably rich because his influence.

[@michaelmiller1600]

Yeah, Western Civilization outlawed the human body generations ago. This left us only with words, and talking heads, which really don't work for developing and maintaining human health and happiness.

[@renehenriksen1735]

Sir Bob >>> These advisors often forget the practical side of the matter. If there´s an Animalpark or Aquarium nearby with dolphins and other kind of social animals then that´s a better idea.

[@shauncooper9942]

I found this talk extremely educational and enjoyable. Thank you!

[@nour56571]

she speaking from her heart

[@parkergilles1007]

Most of the babies, at my orphanage, died from lack of touch. I survived because, I think, subconsciously, my body created eczema and had to be touched, daily. I survived. But I still insist in being touched daily by people who love me.

[@allisond.46]

Did the eczema go away when you got older?

[@mfellison]

Just watched this in March 2021 - one year into the COVID-19 global pandemic - and Helena Wasling's words are incredibly poignant. While I don't live alone, there are people who are very important to me that I have not been able to touch for more than a year! This is a huge social experiment going on around the globe and it will be very interesting to see what the aggregate effects of this lack of touch will have on human beings living through this period of history. Personally speaking, I can't wait until we're all vaccinated and I can start hugging (and caressing) those that I love!

[@ezrabay4393]

I'm extremely lonely, deeply depressed and unhappy. I'm 26 years old and I've never hugged, held hands or received soft touch, even though in my mind I see that as one of the if not the most important things in life. I think my parents stopped touching me when I grew past carrying age. I've only experienced violent and rude touch. I don't know how to get close enough to someone so that they might softly touch me or that I could softly touch them. I'm reaching my end.

[@legoproductions7286]

mabe get some professional help?

[@cyberfish4016]

Go see a masseur.

[@valentingarciaable]

Ezra... please touch the Hand of God..for He loves you so much that He left His throne, to become God in the flesh...so that we would kill Him.. (the innocent dying for the sinner) and then after we killed Him.... He turns around and forgives us.... All for Love....and for us to enter the Kingdom of God... so, Ezra, dare to touch the Hand of God.... Jesus Christ....He loves you ! God loves you !

[@ClubNoiseband]

Ezra Bay any type of massage from a female really helps a lot...as does hiring an escort for an hour, have a routine or schedule, it’s like medicine at that point

[@ezrabay4393]

I don't see how a massage or an escort would help. It's as much or more about the intent behind the touch as the touch itself. It's about being with someone who wants to be close to you and spend time with you because you're you, not because of monetary motives. To recommend paying someone for a proxy experience is like asking a lonely bullied kid why don't they just pay their classmates to pretend wanting to play with them for an hour.

[@enzodavide]

Wonderful speech.

[@meloduple]

so what is the solution... for someone like me... neglecting parents, still not much more caring than when i was a kid, although they love. I'm someone who people cant be friends with me. I was bullied, i was neglected, I grew up not knowing how to properly socialize.

[@carliejung8408]

I hope I can hug you... but for now please give yourself a hug.

[@Jejking]

Get a pet. Start with small steps, you deserve that. There is more to come, but take care of yourself first.

[@Val-zx7ro]

I grew up similar to that. Then I found my best friend who is ALSO incredibly socially awkward like me. When we first started hanging out, we were pretty neurodivergent in the same ways so we laughed so hard at each other's totally-not-funny-to-anyone-else jokes. I still have never laughed harder. We would hug. We would generally be loud teenage public nuisances together in malls and coffee shops, hogging up free samples and totally not getting social norms. Unashamedly screaming over anything with our favorite tv characters on it in hot topic and freaking out over dolphin plushies. But we needed it, and we loved it. I hope you find someone who's like you so you can feel that joy. What 'normal people' thought didn't matter at the time. Although we've grown up and learned to respect the way normal social interaction works and no longer make scenes out of our activities together we definitely got to live a little without shame for how we were raised. You deserve a good friend! Blowing off steam like that with her was the best thing that ever happened to me. We didn't know how to communicate exactly, but each of us knew what the other wanted. If one of us said something that could be taken as an insult because it came out wrong (it often did) we trusted each other enough to just laugh it off. It's NOT impossible to make friends when you're raised without being socialized the way you would have wanted.

[@jennageorge6674]

I understand because I've struggled with relationships as well. What I've learned to say to myself when I feel this way "stop whining and do something about it. Your personality sucks? Fix it. Your attitude struggles? Fix it. No more excuses, stop being the victim and become the victor" Now how do i fix it? Treat it like a scientist, identify the issues come up with solutions for issues and put those solutions to the test. It takes time but if you really want it you'll succeed. Good luck.

[@starkslauren]

Try a massage

[@samiko6091]

Fascinating topic... I wonder if there are more talks about the solution to touch deprivation. Those who don't have kids or family, and no touch unless injured and in hospital.

[@maarj923]

Thank you

[@JoeyJ0J0]

I was using oxytocin nasal spray as I went over a decade without human contact. I am now friends with a woman but for the months before that the spray really helped.

[@Val-zx7ro]

Brand name?

[@speedyboishan87]

here's a tip, 1. you can move somewhere you like or feel comfortable living in, 2. you could try to make friends by visiting areas you have not lived, or visited before, 3. you could ask the council you want help or want to move due to your circumstances.

[@MrMarcellz]

From father to unborn or adolescent child, between wife and husband , father and children, also male to male friendship.....

[@bigballs3095]

If your isolated and friendless and hated or misunderstood like me or anyone els this is impossible.

[@jennageorge6674]

Everything has a solution, you just have to find yours and follow through with the work to succeed. At least i believe that.

[@sgili586]

There is no one.

[@CharlotteFairchild]

Free hugs, massage therapy, Cuddle Party, pets, self grooming, musical instruments

[@CharlotteFairchild]

What about it is gross?

[@CharlotteFairchild]

Nothing about Cuddle Party is gross. No one is forced to be kind to one another.

[@CharlotteFairchild]

Or you would go to a bar and walk into a crowded group of people drunk as a skunk and go through the rigors of bar society with the added danger of abduction, rape, poisoning. This Cuddle Party exercise is actually a workshop teaching boundaries, which means you could go to a Cuddle Party and say "NO," "No Thank You," and "I don't feel like it," and not so much as shake hands with one person. People who go to these parties must be sober, respect boundaries and practice boundaries. Before anyone so much as sits beside you they must ask and receive an affirmative. If you are silent, it means "NO."

[@michaelmiller1600]

Well, OK, ride the subway, but I'd rather go to Charlotte Fairchild's cuddle party.

[@phily8093]

I've not been touched for over 2 years. I long for a hug and a long cuddle, and would give anything for a day lying in bed next to someone who cared for me, and I cared for them. But it won't happen. I have too many physical, situational and mental health issues, which makes me unattractive to anybody. I'm 41 now, and I don't really want to see 42, to live in this touch deprived way for the rest of my life. To me, it's a life not worth living.

[@FocusProj]

Great TedTalk. : ) interesting proposal

[@carlamerlotti6225]

Sensacional!

[@mts2457]

Well interesting pre-covid

[@bodineist]

That was a great Ted talk!!

[@stevefackerell9589]

a good theory, but my reality is I am overweight and mean looking and no one wants to touch me. they assume I am just some guy with nothing inside..

[@sadisticgirl_]

Loose weight and smile more

[@JoeyJ0J0]

Take oxytocin supplements

[@emelapilica6254]

You're a sweetheart anyone would be lucky to touch you

[@carlosp.2103]

You have something inside bro, you have a lot of food.

[@Val-zx7ro]

There's overweight guy comedians that everybody loves and wants to hug. There's also overweight guy singers that are famous, and overweight guys that have leadership positions and go around shaking everybody's hands. How about that? :)

[@LoveGuruBlaire]

LOVE THIS!

[@MrMarcellz]

How come this study does not include the touch of the father or husband in the research, and social development...

[@flowerlove2985]

Excellent talk!

[@suzihazlove4979]

If people as children were touched inappropriately or touched in a physically painful way they may have an aversion to touch and affection.... ???

[@allisond.46]

So don’t do that to children?

[@suzihazlove4979]

@@allisond.46 Huhhhh?? Why are you giving that advice to me?

[@ZNMelowLeloNeka]

'get out there and touch more' No maam!! touch honestly makes me feel funny

[@v.mollner6911]

TEDxGöteborg. Goteborg (Gothenburg in English) is in Sweden. One would think the talk would be in the Swedish language.

[@ezrabay4393]

I'm 27 and I haven't been touched gently since mom stopped carrying me and I want to die

[@cecilevalmont3709]

What stops you from asking someone you know to just hold you? Could be a friend or a stranger.

[@ezrabay4393]

@@cecilevalmont3709 Anxiety, not having friends, being too scared to talk to strangers

[@cecilevalmont3709]

Speak with toddlers. Honestly. They're the least judging person you'll find. Sounds weird like that, but if you say that you might need a hug and ask the kid if they're ok with that, and do it in front of the parent, then it's cool.

[@mariaparent23]

@@ezrabay4393 you will meet kind folk if you could volunteer 2 hours weekly to walk dogs at an animal shelter. I’m sorry your mom was preoccupied. You matter. You’re valuable. We are all alone in the silence. Animal shelter volunteers are kind, and your miracle will happen. People will befriend you. Service to others is like manna from heaven. It works. Please try.

[@ForeverGoth]

probably no one in the audience took her advice. . .

[@wendylcs4283]

Am I the only one who is aversive to touch and would rather people just carry on a good conversation with me??

[@josephpchajek2685]

You should reevaluate that. It's a NEED, required for health.

[@pedacirc]

You're not the only one, and there's nothing wrong with you for being that way...

[@wendylcs4283]

@@josephpchajek2685 you are right, i agree it is a need, actually i do appreciate touch from someone i feel a high level of connection with.

[@rosco8708]

i am a guy and have no problem with this. c'mon,c'mon,c'mon,c'mon,c'mon now touch me babe.(no, seriously. i am NOT afraid)

[@bigballs3095]

Connection snd relationship and even just knowing theres someone out there that you can embrace or be embraced by someone els can be insanely helpful. Were as otherwise without that support or love or sense of someone els out there that cares and that you can let your troubles out around I’m a guy k and ill say i cant speak for all of us but im so lonely and haven’t had any real relationship my hole life. Just a lot of people saying things and never showing the proof of what they were saying or said ever. Love became just a word an empty worthless lye. Call me any time of you need help i want you to know that i really care has become extremely painful and confusing and overwhelming thing. because there telling me they care but whenever i call or text with difficult problems to solve and really really want someone to brain storm with or debate my way through an issue with. only ignores or shuts down or patronizes me for trying to investigate something practically nobody els ever does. told to drop it cuz its better off left alone thats fine and dandy for them but personally for me when it comes to mental issues i’ve bin trying to cope with for the past 23 years or so. Only trying tp help whoever i can along my way with hopefully something i know enough a about to not get things twisted up like so many hasty bastards have before me people helping others understand or understanding these things myself is like life or death to me. This is what school should be all about i cant help myself thinking that we should be teaching history and psychology and how to find ones self and how to individuate are selves and how to handle failure in life and how to just let it go not dwell on any of it and keep trying and failing till you get it. Knowing just that one thing alone if it was even the only thing my parents taught me i would of went ten times further in life probably would of bin somebody. But nope im nobody

[@GuzziHeroV50]

Well, I am aplatonic (I don't experience attraction to anyone, even on a friend or familial level) and touch-repulsed. I haven't touched anyone more than a handshake in over 25 years. I don't like pets and haven't had one for over 28 years. I have no children, and no interest in having any. And I'm doing fine, thanks.

[@jamesgrey13]

That might be fun to try! I'll take a stop watch with me to see how long it takes someone to slap me, when I start randomly touching them! :D

[@allisond.46]

That’s not what she meant.

[@ba1anse]

This topic is obviously very important and I'm grateful to the speaker that she touches this easily ignored issue, but I'm sorry to say that she's not a great speaker, if she were to deliver some content in 10 minutes, it would have been more condense and fun to watch

[@arthurghahramanyan3279]

I suspect that the speaker has no idea about what giving birth is like. I mean, it is interesting research that has potential as an adjunct to pain management, but can not replace it. P.S.: if contractions stop during labor, it is called labor arrest, which can be fatal for the chil PP.S.: If a patient requests a type of pain relief, saying no is just unethical, and it is also illegal. This kind of things are usually discussed before labor.

[@allisond.46]

That part might’ve been exaggerated. Or she has a really high pain threshold and is allergic to the epidural. Or you’re right and she made the whole thing up.

[@samurilip]

prostitutes could help with loneliness...i havent been touched in 6 months.

[@allisond.46]

Yes, but that’s not really their job and also STDs.

[@designanddirection]

A god a husband! A man! How terrible. Where did you think the baby from?!

[@Area51queue]

Or get a cat

[@Caarnji]

+Apollon Abaddon A stress reliever for me is castrating sociopaths.

[@TheAmmarKeylani]

Very poor lecture! Instead of asking audience to go out and touch more, ask them to stand up and hug each other!!!

[@GS-st9ns]

I was expecting her 2 ask them to stand up and hug each other, then I thought maybe that would be weird. We'll never know

[@evetteferreira3877]

WHY DID you HAVE TO cuss JESUS' NAME. I DIDN'T LISTEN FURTHER. IN THE FEAR I WOULD HAVE TO HEAR you DO IT AGAIN..

[@MrRazorblade999]

Easy now, snowflake

[@mundoinvisivelxd1936]

say something we don't know..sorry but...

[@angelmunoz3462]

If you don.t have the LORD JESUS CHRIST in you life you always gonna be lonely for ever,and ever