A light stroke of fingertips across your upper arm. A hand, softly resting on your thigh. The utter bliss of a foot massage. A long kiss. The warmth of a lover's body pressed against yours. A big, long hug.

The pandemic has meant that over the past two years, for many people, human touch was something that they just no longer had. With technology we are more 'connected' than ever before, yet there is still no substitute for actual human contact.

In our feature TOUCH, JoyBear takes us into a futuristic world where an antigen spread by skin contact has made touch outlawed. Vera (Viktoria Quinn) is an Eye, her job is to monitor, to watch and to ensure that the law is adhered to. Five steamy episodes explore how banning contact could affect people In this new world touching can become a deadly game, but of course desire can be very persuasive. The thrill of illicit encounters only adds to the temptation of course...

Yiming Curiosity and Chris Cobalt try out a long hug for the BTS aftermovie for TOUCH

Back in the real world we have all felt effects of the pandemic. With lockdowns, collective stress and sometimes being cooped up with people for far more time than we are used to, or being alone for far more time than we are used to, we have had to change the way that we interact with others, especially physically. If you are someone who lives alone I am sure that despite constant technological connection, real life connection is what is really missed. Those of you in lockdown with friends or family also feel the lack of seeing and hugging loved ones. 

And this feeling is real. Humans need touch to thrive. To learn how to bond and to feel safe, valued and loved. Enjoyable touch, like hugging, causes your brain to release oxytocin, otherwise known as the love hormone which makes you feel good, helps you to connect with others and reduces anxiety.

Family therapist Virginia Satir once said, 'We need four hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.' You may think this is a lot of hugging, but science fully backs the need for hugs. 

If you don't have enough human contact, you can become touch starved, feeling lonely, depressed, anxious, stressed, unable to sleep and wary of attachments. Any of this sound familiar? Now more than ever we need to be aware of the importance of touch. 

Of course for some at times it just isn't worth the risk to have contact, but even a self hug is better than no hug! This also works for people who may have a fear of touch. Try it now - reach both arms around yourself and simply hold. Try to hold this for at least 30 seconds. Pay attention to how do you feel afterwards.

I have an amazing friend who first made me realise the real power and potential of hugs. Early on in our friendship I realised she was a long hugger. The first time I will admit it was quite a shock, a hug that went on for a good 30 seconds. The first moments, where I was used to pulling away, felt strange, but then a beautiful, calm wave seemed to wash over me. Afterwards I commented, 'Wow, that was a long hug!' 'Yes', she replied, 'you get loads of benefits if you make sure your hugs are at least 20 seconds!' Once was all it took for me to be converted and I started to try the long hug on others, as well as doing my own research to find that it wasn't just a nice feeling to have that amount of platonic bodily contact, but that long hugs also had plenty of health benefits for both mind and body.

Viktoria Quinn and Belle O'Hara on set for TOUCH

Hugging, as well as laughter, has been shown to be effective at fighting sickness, disease, depression, anxiety and stress. A long, deep hug feels nurturing, trusting and safe. Extended hugs can lift your serotonin levels, making you feel happier and promote self-esteem. Tension is released, love and warmth flow both ways. We are reminded so beautifully that we are truly not alone and that we are valued. We come into the present moment. An embrace is a natural stress buster, reducing the amount of cortisol and helping to calm you. 

So, how can we get our daily quota of hugs and also ensure that our loved ones do as well? And in the absence of real contact how can we support ourselves and our loved ones?

- Remember that a self hug is still a hug!
- Pets can also be hugged, or just sat in contact with.
- Video calls can make us feel more connected until we can be together in real life. Try a virtual lunch date or dinner. 
- Texts and emails remind loved ones that we are thinking of them and that they are valued and cared for.

2021 has certainly taken us all on a rollercoaster one way or another. Stress and separation is painful, but there are still plenty of ways to connect and to inspire intentional positive touch for ourselves and others. If you didn't do your self hug earlier then now's the time. Don't forget to spread the word.

Stay safe. Have fun. Issy x