The magic of touch

Valentine’s Day is a day filled with flowers, hearts, and reminders to say “I love you.” Yet the most powerful expressions of love are never spoken. They happen through presence, small acts of care, or a simple human touch.

You may have heard of “the rescuing hug” story of a 7-week premature born twin babies. While one twin was born relatively stable, the other one was rapidly deteriorating despite all medical care. The hospital protocol required premature babies to remain in separate incubators, but one nurse decided to try something different and, as a last resort, placed the twins together.

What happened next surprised everyone. The stronger twin moved her tiny arm across her sister’s body, hugging her. Almost instantly, something magic happened: the weaker baby’s breathing and heart rate stabilized, and her condition began to improve.

Neuroscience now explains what the heart has always known: human beings regulate one another. A calm presence, a gentle touch, a feeling of being held emotionally or physically, or even the simple experience of being listened to without judgement can reduce stress hormones, regulate breathing, and create the conditions where healing becomes possible.

So I thought, perhaps the quiet invitation for Valentine’s Day is to remember that love doesn’t need grand gestures. Sometimes it simply needs the magic of touch. And yet, for many of us, there are times in life when that “rescuing hug” is simply not available.

Sometimes a parent is no longer around, friends may not fully understand, or we may simply hesitate to burden the people we care about with what we’re going through.

For those times, now more than ever, there are ways for people to feel seen, heard, and safe enough to explore what they truly need. When someone holds space for us, our nervous systems settle, our thinking becomes clearer, and new possibilities begin to emerge.

Sometimes the magic of touch is found in the quiet presence of another human being, someone who intentionally listens without judgment and stays with us while we find our own way forward.

I know how it feels to go through difficult moments without that “rescuing hug” available. That’s why I chose to step into coaching, a place where people can pause, feel supported, and rediscover their own strength as they move forward.

If you ever find yourself in that place, you’re always welcome to schedule a 1:1 session with me.