The Skin Hunger Project
Donation protected
Skin Hunger: (n) The experience and expression of negative emotions and behavior that result from a lack of touch.
Much like the body needs water and food to survive, the need for touch is very real and important. It is said that in order to survive, human beings need at least 4 hugs/acts of touch a day. For optimal care, it is suggested that those hugs/acts of touch should last no less than 5 minutes to allow for the creation of Oxytocin, which causes a sense of relaxation, connection and healing. While 4 hugs/acts of touch are needed for survival, 8 hugs/acts per day are required for optimal maintenance and 12 daily hugs/acts are needed for the person to grow and thrive. This means, that even if people are getting some touch they may not be getting enough touch to prevent the negative impacts of Skin Hunger.
The impacts of untreated Skin Hunger include (and yet are not limited to): depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability, antisocial behaviors, promiscuity, physical violence, anger, stress and increased risk of suicidal thoughts and tendencies. These issues have a particularly devastating impact on minority people and those who do not have the financial, educational or medical support to properly treat these issues.
The main concern facing people’s ability to address Skin Hunger is that while people recognize and treat the presenting issue, they don’t realize that what people are experiencing could very well be the symptoms of Skin Hunger. If we keep ignoring Skin Hunger as a major contributing factor, people will not be aware that the potential source for healing could literally be in the palm their hands. If people knew more about this issue, if they knew that they were not alone and if society could bring a powerful amount of awareness and education to this topic, lives could literally be saved.
This mission of "The Skin Hunger Project" is to bring awareness, acceptance and advocacy to the issue of Skin Hunger. By providing a financial foundation, your contribution will allow us to:
*Build our website: www.theskinhungerproject.com
* Design a logo
*Create awareness advertisement & podcasts
*Host public events for awareness
*Establish support & discussion groups
*Provide Educational resources
*Train Facilitators & Practitioners for further education
*Offer Touch & Somatic services for those in need
*Develop outreach programs for further research
*Cover office and start up costs
*Record interviews for “The Skin Hunger Project” documentary
*Invest in other Fund Raising endeavors walks, events and programs)
The difference that your donation will make could save lives. The money raised will go directly to the project participants and practitioners. THANK YOU in advance to everyone who contributes!
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP!
PARTICIPANTS: If you or someone you know has been suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned above and you these symptoms might be a result of lack of touch in your life or their life, we want to hear from you!! We would like to interview you and share your stories with other people.
PRACTIONERS: If you are a Somatic Arts Practitioner (Massage, Sacred Intimacy, Cuddling, Physical Therapy, Sacred Embrace or any other TOUCH based profession) and you are willing to share your stories and SERVICES to those who are in need, we NEED you.
Contact Information:
The Skin Hunger Project
D. Marcella Lyles, M.Ed.
www.theskinhungerproject.com
Much like the body needs water and food to survive, the need for touch is very real and important. It is said that in order to survive, human beings need at least 4 hugs/acts of touch a day. For optimal care, it is suggested that those hugs/acts of touch should last no less than 5 minutes to allow for the creation of Oxytocin, which causes a sense of relaxation, connection and healing. While 4 hugs/acts of touch are needed for survival, 8 hugs/acts per day are required for optimal maintenance and 12 daily hugs/acts are needed for the person to grow and thrive. This means, that even if people are getting some touch they may not be getting enough touch to prevent the negative impacts of Skin Hunger.
The impacts of untreated Skin Hunger include (and yet are not limited to): depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability, antisocial behaviors, promiscuity, physical violence, anger, stress and increased risk of suicidal thoughts and tendencies. These issues have a particularly devastating impact on minority people and those who do not have the financial, educational or medical support to properly treat these issues.
The main concern facing people’s ability to address Skin Hunger is that while people recognize and treat the presenting issue, they don’t realize that what people are experiencing could very well be the symptoms of Skin Hunger. If we keep ignoring Skin Hunger as a major contributing factor, people will not be aware that the potential source for healing could literally be in the palm their hands. If people knew more about this issue, if they knew that they were not alone and if society could bring a powerful amount of awareness and education to this topic, lives could literally be saved.
This mission of "The Skin Hunger Project" is to bring awareness, acceptance and advocacy to the issue of Skin Hunger. By providing a financial foundation, your contribution will allow us to:
*Build our website: www.theskinhungerproject.com
* Design a logo
*Create awareness advertisement & podcasts
*Host public events for awareness
*Establish support & discussion groups
*Provide Educational resources
*Train Facilitators & Practitioners for further education
*Offer Touch & Somatic services for those in need
*Develop outreach programs for further research
*Cover office and start up costs
*Record interviews for “The Skin Hunger Project” documentary
*Invest in other Fund Raising endeavors walks, events and programs)
The difference that your donation will make could save lives. The money raised will go directly to the project participants and practitioners. THANK YOU in advance to everyone who contributes!
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP!
PARTICIPANTS: If you or someone you know has been suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned above and you these symptoms might be a result of lack of touch in your life or their life, we want to hear from you!! We would like to interview you and share your stories with other people.
PRACTIONERS: If you are a Somatic Arts Practitioner (Massage, Sacred Intimacy, Cuddling, Physical Therapy, Sacred Embrace or any other TOUCH based profession) and you are willing to share your stories and SERVICES to those who are in need, we NEED you.
Contact Information:
The Skin Hunger Project
D. Marcella Lyles, M.Ed.
www.theskinhungerproject.com
Organizer
Marcella Lyles
Organizer
Fort Worth, TX
