Theme: I Feel
Acknowledging our need for connections
Chapter 4: Sociability & Hands
Our hands, like our feet, are another one of those overworked, overlooked appendages that get no attention until they start screaming at us when they’re injured. And then we bemoan our plight while we hobble around on crutches or curse our bandaged unusable finger while it heals. Just to go back to life in the shadows once it’s working again properly. But our hands are seriously amazing; they do thousands of tasks all the time without any conscious effort. You can pull up your blanket when you’re cold, or move your cat off your face, or scratch your butt if it itches….in your sleep! You can point an angry finger, or punch, or throw something without even meaning to. I mean that’s all just bizarre. We teach our hands how to do something once like how to type or use keyboard shortcuts, or play an instrument, or chop food, or hold a cigarette, or grip a bat, or read braille, or braid hair, or steer a bike, and with minimal to zero maintenance our hands retain those muscle memories for life. But because the effort isn’t conscious anymore, we forget to stop, listen, and care for them before they hit burnout and leave us in the lurch cursing our misfortune. Really the same is true for all of our body parts. And all of our social interactions.
Sociability
Touch is a huge factor for social beings. Different families, cultures, and locations may have different comfort levels with hugging, kissing, or shaking hands, but our bodies crave the connection, and go into an angry panic state when it’s missing for too long. A newborn’s breathing, temperature regulation, digestion, circulation, sleep, dopamine levels, and quieting panic/anxiety queues improve when they’re held. The same holds true for spastic toddlers and stressed out adults. There can’t be a monster under your bed if your dad is sitting by your side. Your fever will get better soon if your mom puts her cool hand on your forehead. Next weekend will feel good because I’ll get to sit and chat with a friend. Nothing’s actually changing. It’s the social interaction that’s soothing you. It’s as vital to our health as any other basic need, and our systems can’t function their best without it.
Sit still in a quiet place for a moment. Listen to your body’s needs right now. Does it have some food and water? Does it have comfortable shelter & clothing for heat or cold? Does it feel safe and clean? Is your mind and your body being worked, and given rest breaks and sleep? Can you see or touch or talk to other people in your social structure? Can you improvise with a reliable pet during an endless pandemic? Do you have a safe quiet place where your body can be alone to tell you it’s troubles?
Below are some stretches to give your wrists and hands a little TLC. They have to take in a lot of information and hold on tight to a lot for us all day. Let’s give them a chance to release and let go.
Jet Tries 