“Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives,” according to author C.S. Lewis. Affection. Touch. A high-five walking down the hallway. A tight embrace upon return. A quick kiss goodnight.

Simple displays of affection have been proven to benefit in more ways than one. Research on adults has proven that touch is essential for physical and emotional well-being; being touched on a regular basis can lengthen life and cut down on doctor’s visits. In recent years, school systems have enforced limitations on the amount of physical interaction between peers, and many wonder how these restrictions will affect the students’ futures.

Past research studies have proven that touch provides solace, safety and emphasizes tenderness. At The National Institute of Health (NIH) sheds light on the benefits of touch interaction: “At the center of how our bodies respond to love and affection is a hormone called oxytocin.”

NIH goes further in describing our reaction to touch through the dopamine reward system. Dopamine is a brain chemical that plays a crucial part in how we perceive pleasure.

Not only does oxytocin provide us with the opportunity to feel good, but NIH studies have found that it lowers the levels of stress hormones in the body, reducing blood pressure, improving mood, increasing tolerance for pain and perhaps even increasing how fast wounds heal. It also seems to play an important role in our relationships. It has been linked, for example, to how much we trust others. Theoretically, the more we trust someone, the more likely we will feel comfortable in engaging in touch interaction.

It’s no surprise that Autumn Kelly, senior, loves being touched. “To me , it’s a form of showing someone you care about them...because if people are willing to show affection by touch, it shows that they really want to make a connection with you on more than just one level,” said Autumn.

Autumn estimates that she hugs half a dozen or so people since she hugs “almost all of my friends every single [school] day”.

Senior Adrienne Mewborn also shares similar beliefs on affection, stating that she is “the touch initiator 99.99% of the time”. “ I think I should have been born in South America because it’s a much more common gesture that seems natural to have physical contact with the person I’m interacting with than to maintain a personal space bubble. Personal space is a foreign concept [to me]”.

When asked to estimate how many times he shows some form of affection, Hugo Alonso, senior, said, “I’m a very touchy person and I usually get hugged every day...so a lot”.

Upon reflection, junior Noah Heil reports to initiating “one hug per period” and receiving “two hugs per period”.

While hugs have been found as the most common form of affection, students reported affection exchange through high fives, hand holding, “footsie”, and playful nudges.

For some students, the actual physical contact is less significant than the reaction or meaning of the contact.

“It’s not the actual act of touching someone; it’s the meaning behind it. I think touch definitely impacts you emotionally and mentally because even though it’s only skin to skin contact, it always has a meaning, whether positive or negative,” said Autumn.

Other students have reported using touch to communicate their feelings. “I see [affection] as a gesture of friendliness, openness and good will, given the touching is appropriate,” said Adrienne.

She goes on to express the idea that often times, touch is able to convey what words lack. “When I’m getting along with someone, I don’t say ‘Hey, what great friends we are!’ I feel a simple touchy will suffice,” said Adrienne.

For senior Katt Kendall, touch functions just as well as verbal speech. “Touch is like talking with your body. Strange as it sounds, I think it’s true. And just like talking, touching definently makes an impact, both emotionally and mentally.”

While touch interaction provides innumerable benefits both to the initiator and the receiver, there is a pint where touch can be overused, and ultimately, abused.

Senior Abi Bissette defines excessive touchy as “clinging”. “[It’s] really annoying. I don’t want to feel like I’ve got a growth attached to my hip”.

A similar consensus was found among other students. “I can’t stand clinging. Touch is sacred...that might be a strange word to use, but it is. Overusing touch is like babbling with your body. The more you do it, the less it means,” said Katt.

Fortunately, most students have been found to have an intuitive sense on when expressing touch is appropriate. “If a person tells me they don’t want to be touched, I respect their wishes. You just have to know the situation and the group,” said Adrienne.

“There’s always a time when touching is wrong and you just can’t do that--you shouldn’t take advantage of their comfort. Touching is a good thing; don’t abuse it,” said Noah.

Ultimately, there is an appropriate time when touch exchange should occur. Though school systems have restricted the amount of touch interaction during school hours, students still have the opportunity to share and benefit from touch outside of the classroom.

“I really feel touch is necessary. If you never show affection, your life is just going to be boring and sad,” said Noah.