Cuddle-deprived solutions?

I was touch starved at one point. My therapist suggested I get a massage to address the lack of touch - straight massage, not the happy ending type. It really helped, if you can afford it, even just once every month or two.

I sleep with 4 pillows, 2 stuffed animals and 1 body pillow. I get massages from a massage therapist. Eventually I found a local Ace. We both are cuddle deprived and one day I’m going to ask him to cuddle or snuggle.

I mean I could find friends to cuddle with ig but it wouldn't be (at least for me personally) that much satisfying 🤷‍♀️ I need that deep connection most of the time. As I was in situations in the past where cuddling was present but it was part of deceptive games...I'm very careful who I let in my presence. I try to keep hoping that one day I'm gonna have an aligned partner and plenty of cuddles and for me as grayace a little bit of specific ocassional spice as well ☺

I watched a video random German YouTube videos about I guess they're called cuddle therapists in German but basically they charge a certain fee for like an hour of cuddling I don't really know how widespread this is though. The videos I watched were people in big cities. I'm sorry this is probably not helpful. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqfz2uDtSU www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL0bHmZNz50

about 9 or 10 years ago (i was around 22 or 23, afab), a friend of mine whose partner was long distance asked me if i wanted to platonically cuddle, and i said yes, and it wasn't weird at all. it was nice. he asked first if i knew what platonic cuddling was, if that helps in your approach with people.

I have plushies to hug at night. Also I recommend a weighted blanket. I have to dig mine out again but it really helped me when I was going through a rough patch.

I use a combination. Heavy blankets and long pillows while sleeping, compression shirts or corset for that nice gentle torso-squeeze throughout the day, and a big very cuddly dog. The cats also cuddle, but the weight on my legs or side when my dog gets in on it really makes the difference and he chooses to do that daily. I don't even need to invite him. He's 65 lbs of retriever that thinks he's a lapdog.

I know a dog is a lot though. So maybe you could try one of those weighted plush animals.

This might not work for you, but I suggest finding out your friends’ love languages, and if you have a friend who shows love thru physical affection, chances are they’d love to platonically cuddle! One of my closest friends is a really physical person and we’ve both talked about how much we just like platonic touch with no expectations, so now every time we hang out we cuddle while watching tv/doomscrolling, definitely helps me recharge my touch starved-ness until I see her or family again. Also, sometimes you just gotta do that shit for yourself. Pet your own hair, hold your own face, hug yourself, it might seem weird at first, but it’s better than nothing. If you stop thinking about that it’s you doing the action and focus on the sensation it can work to fulfill some comfort needs. Also possibly a weighted blanket.

Go to a dance class that has some couple dance involved. I LOVE IT, it's the perfect place fro some physical closeness with the CLEAR limits and context. You get to touch and be close, but also move, socialize and have some "body conversation" with your dance partner as you two have to synchronize your movements.

Idl, i just think its a lot of fun and helps me a TON in the touch starved department keeping it under my boundaries

Weighted blankets helped me. The deep pressure is super helpful. If you’re able to have some sort of heated blanket or heating pad as well it can really feel like being held by someone. I’m sorry you’re going through a period of touch-deprivation. It sucks and I know how tough it can be.

this is a big option if you feel like you can handle the responsibility, but theres plenty of big dogs who probably need cuddles and would be better size wise 😊 but of course only if its something you are able to do

When my partner is away for her work placements, I have my plushies to fill the void

My dog is my BFF and my life partner. 95 lb AmStaff. He is 13 and we have slept together every night since I got him at about 8 months old. He insists on sleeping with his entire weight leaning against me. Most mornings I am on one side of the bed with about a foot of space, he is squished up next to me, and there is a whole bunch of unused real estate of a queen sized bed empty on the other side of him.

He is older, and starting to deteriorate and I fear we only have a few years left together.

Hug/sleep with a hot water bottle
weighted blankets