What on Earth does 'Kinaesthetic' mean? Kinaesthesia is an awareness of Physical sensation. Especially to do with muscle movement; those who learn by leading with Kinaesthesia, learn best by 'hands-on' experience first – they learn by doing. This doesn't mean that they don't need to see and hear what they are learning – merely that they learn best by beginning with a tactile experience of what they want to learn. Don't show me that [Cntrl] + [S] will 'Save' my file, let me do this! Then I will know.

OK, I'm going to say something bold here. It is my 'belief' that many people feel depressed because they haven't had enough physical attention. I am in no way talking about sexual attention. I am talking about raw physical stimulation of the nervous system packaged within a safe emotional construct. Touched by someone or something you trust. 'Something' here means the cat or the dog. Cats and dogs know about this stuff!

My bold assertion is based upon the years of research that sit behind Transactional Analysis and similar disciplines. The root of all human need is to know one is significant through positive physical attention. A simple holding of hands is enough to say, "I love you, I accept you, I want to be with you, I love to be with you. I'm here for you."

I have been sick for a week. I just want to be held. I want to be stroked. If I had hair, I'd want it to be brushed gently. I don't want sound – I don't what to hear that you love me and care for me. I don't want to be looked at or to look. I want the simple warmth of another living being's presence… (you can be my hot water-bottle) and for that familiar presence to give me deliberate physical attention because they care.

So, where does this leave us? If you are not offended by this post, I seriously suggest you find a massage therapist whom you trust. Get in touch. Get touched. Get it as if your psychological health depended upon every positive stroke. In fact, Transactional Analysts call 'units of attention' by the name, 'Strokes'. Their research proves that premature babies who have positive physical attention, develop faster. Your heart, your brain, your very nervous system, your psyche, your health needs attention.

Stroke me! I promise you, I'll stroke you back. Hey, you scratch my back...

Lex

A Moodscope member.