Self-Help: How to Reach Out & Touch, Literally

According to Researchers at Duke and the University of Arizona the number of true confidants that Americans say they have in on the decline. In fact, since the 1980s, it has dropped from about three to about two. And, about a fourth of Americans say they have no confidents outside of their families - twice the percentage of two decades ago.

Translation? Americans are increasingly cut off not only from emotional support but from the therapeutic benefits of physical touch as well.

Humans, not just Americans, are pack animals. We are "hard-wired" to thrive in social, touchy feely environments. Studies have proven that a simple hug - a little touch - not only lowers output of cortisol, a stress hormone, but triggers a surge of our two "feel good" brains chemicals, serotonin and dopamine.

Perhaps this explains why massage therapy is on the rise. A recent survey by Opinion Research Corporation International, August 10-13, 2006 concluded that:

· More Americans are getting in touch: Thirty-nine million Americans - more than one out of 6 - get annual massages. They are also talking to their doctors about integrating it into their health care for medical and general health care purposes.

· Men vs. women: The number of both men and women who received a massage in the last year has doubled since 1972 but, at 23%, women still get the most massages.

· General Acceptance: Baby Boomers, ages 55-64, have tripled their use of massage therapy over the past ten years. 94% of Generation X & Y believe that massage therapy is beneficial to their health and prefer it as a form of pain relief over medication.

Perhaps this also explains the success of these 3 self-help connections for girlfriends and more ...

Happy Girl Musing is a beloved watering hole for my soul. Founded by Terry Hernon MacDonald, this BLOG blends compassionate wit and humanity with a big sister's candid perspective. Although it specializes in "Dating Advice - Almost Daily" this is a fun read for women at all levels of attachment (or detachment.)

One of my favorite musings is Self-Love & You: What are the little things you do to show you care?Terry's #1 thing is:I take myself out to enjoy movies my children and husband don't care to see. (Right on.) Another is Be A Good Woman where she debunks "Super Woman" dribble and closes her argument with "Attract a man with the cajones to wipe a counter." (Amen.)

Heal Yourself Talk Radio is a self-help internet radio show launched by Rebecca White. Rebecca gives as good as she gets from her guests and airs high interest topics like: Dealing With Loss; Emotionally Overeating - Eating Yourself Out of House & Home?; How to Get Medications For Free; and Is Your Relationship Making You Sick & Tired?!

A regular contributor is Dr. Jack Singer AKA the "Patch Adams and Will Rogers of Psychology." Dr. Jack has trained serious athletes and teams, taught IRS collection agents powerful secrets of job stress reduction and designed teambuilding re-TREATS for Fortune 1000 corporations, and large legal and medical practices. He is a heck of a Doc and a hoot to boot.

Self Indulgence is an on-the-rise Home Party Business where gaggles of girlfriends connect, relax, sass, rebound and repair from the inside out. Think "Spa" - think suds and rubs and chatter and hoop dancing and pedicures and body sculpting and all those self-help, self-Love indulgences that you keep putting off till - till, when? Why?

Says founder Kim Baltunis, "After the sudden death of my mother I saw how important it was to take care of my needs first. Otherwise, there is simply nothing left over for others in my life who need me and rely on me for their own existence. I was actually pregnant at the time of her death. I truly KNOW if "Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy".

There you have it ... massages, musings, self-help, self-health and self-indulgence. Easy kapezzy ways to get back in touch with what matters most - you, your heart, your health and your relationships. Send me a postcard.