When was the last time someone touched you?
Not a handshake. Not accidentally bumping into someone at the grocery store. I’m talking about real, intentional human touch.
A hug that lasts a little longer.
Someone running their fingers through your hair.
Holding hands.
Cuddling.
A kiss.
Lying next to another person and simply feeling their presence.
For many people, these experiences are a regular part of life. But for others? They can become surprisingly rare. And that’s something that’s simply not discussed enough in our society.
Human Touch Matters
We are living in a time when it is easier than ever to connect digitally, through social media or other similar formats. But in many ways, that has created even more distance between people physically. Oftentimes, people feel more comfortable keeping that distance as a defense mechanism. Until you wake up one day and realize it’s been entirely too long since you had genuine human touch…
Research suggests that touch can play an important role in our wellbeing. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis examined 137 studies involving nearly 13,000 participants and found that touch interventions were associated with benefits across a range of physical and mental health outcomes, including reductions in anxiety, depression, pain, and stress-related measures.
That doesn’t mean a hug is a replacement for medical care. It also doesn’t mean that touch magically cures loneliness. But it does reinforce something many of us already know instinctively:
Being touched feels good. And sometimes, we miss it more than we realize.
The “Touch Gap” Is Real
The CDC reports that about 1 in 3 adults in the United States report feeling lonely, while approximately 1 in 4 report lacking social and emotional support. Divorce, the death of a loved one, and other major life changes can also increase someone’s risk of loneliness and social isolation.
But loneliness isn’t always as obvious as sitting alone in an empty house. You can have a strong social circle, co-workers you enjoy talking to, and be surrounded by people often, yet find yourself feeling lonely at the end of the day. And furthermore… there’s absolutely nothing wrong with feeling lonely. It doesn’t make you weak or desperate. It makes you human.
Sometimes You Just Want to Feel Close to Someone
This is one of the things I think people misunderstand about seeing a legal courtesan: Yes, people come to Sheri’s Ranch for sexual experiences. But intimacy can be about much more than sex.
I’ve had several clients during my time at Sheri’s Ranch that prioritize basic human touch during our time together. They want to cuddle, receive a massage, have a hand run through their hair, and feel genuine connection with another human being. Is sex part of that equation? Yes, but not always!
That experience can be whatever two consenting adults mutually agree to explore.
And for someone who isn’t currently receiving that type of connection in their everyday life, there can be something incredibly freeing about being able to seek it out intentionally.
There Is No Shame in Wanting Human Touch
I think we’ve created a strange contradiction around intimacy. We’re comfortable talking about people needing food, sleep, exercise, friendship, and community. But admit that you miss being held? That you haven’t been touched affectionately in months or years? Suddenly, people become uncomfortable.
In my opinion, there should be absolutely no shame around getting your human touch needs met.
Sometimes, we simply need to remember that physical connection is part of being human.
If you’d like to discuss a visit with me at Sheri’s Ranch, I offer no-judgement conversations via email at breelee@sherisranch.com.