Are you "touch starved?"

Are you "touch starved?"

From Before You Kill Yourself: a suicide prevention podcast. by Leo Flowers

March 16, 2026 · 19 min · Episode 816

About this episode

This episode discusses the concept of touch starvation and its impact on mental health, offering practical ways to incorporate healthy touch into our lives.

In this episode, I talk about what it really means to be touch starved — not in a dramatic way, but in a nervous-system way. I break down why safe, consensual touch matters for our mental health and how we can get more of it in simple, intentional ways. What “touch starved” actually means Why lack of touch increases stress and anxiety How we used to experience touch vs. now Small, practical ways to get healthy touch The surprising ways people try to replace it Are you stressed… or do you just need a hug? Thrive With Leo Coaching :  If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to  www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey. If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help: In the US:  Crisis Text Line : Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline : 1-800-273-8255 or 988 The Trevor Project : 1-866-488-7386 Outside the US: International Association for Suicide Prevention  lists a number of suicide hotlines by country.  Click here to find them .

Topics covered

  • touch starvation
  • mental health
  • stress
  • anxiety
  • consensual touch

Keywords

  • nervous system
  • psychological pain
  • intentional touch
  • healthy touch

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Thrive With Leo Coaching

Places: US

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