Why Do People Like to Hug When They Are Nervous?

Hugging helps people feel safe when they are nervous. When you're scared or worried, hugging someone is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket. It makes your heart calm down and helps you think more clearly. Hugs also send signals to the brain that say, 'I'm not alone.' That makes it easier to face what's making you nervous.

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Examples

  1. When your friend gets nervous before a big speech, they might hug you for comfort.
  2. You feel anxious before a test and give yourself a quick hug to calm down.
  3. Your mom gives you a big hug when you're scared before going into the dark.

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Categories: Psychology · emotional regulation· body language· social interaction · Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.