study shows
Do hugs reduce stress only for women?
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Hugs alleviate stress only in women and not in men? A study now shows that there is actually something to it. You can find out what this could be related to here!
Most of us are familiar with stressful situations. You feel charged, you can actually no longer think properly and yet you have to. It has already been scientifically proven that hugs can calm you down and reduce stress. However, a new study by the team led by Gesa Berretz from the University of Bochum found that there should be a difference between the sexes – women are much more relaxed than men after a hug. But why?
Unexpected results of the experiment
The study was conducted with 38 couples. Some of the couples were asked to hug for a while before the test and then put their hand in ice-cold water for as long as possible. During this, they should constantly look into a camera. The stress caused by this is analyzed by the cortisol level (stress hormone) in the blood.
It was found that the value of this stress hormone increased less in women who had previously been hugged than in men. Because there was no difference between the male participants and those who were not hugged. In this sense, according to the study, it means that the previous hug reduced stress mainly among women.
But why is the result gender-different?
According to the researchers involved in the experiment, the fact that the values of the sexes are different could not be due to the evaluation of the relationship, because this was taken into account when selecting the subjects – all couples were happy and satisfied in their relationship.
Scientists suspect that it is probably due to the different socialization or upbringing of the sexes. A hug in public could therefore be perceived as rather uncomfortable by men and only women would benefit from an intimate hug.
Sensitivity and receptivity to physical contact is biologically more pronounced in women than in men
From a biological perspective, it could also be because women release more oxytocin than men after hugging. Oxytocin is a messenger substance that lowers the cortisol level – as was analyzed in the blood of the hugged women after the stressful situation. Psychologists from the University of Rome believe that there are evolutionary reasons: mothers are more receptive to communication through physical contact. Even when you hold your baby in your arms, you are dependent on interpreting and reacting to his gestures.
The result of the investigation was very unexpected. Julian Packheiser, a contributor to the experiment, says this finding isn’t the final word — just because the effect didn’t show up in men doesn’t mean it’s not there.
One thing is clear: a hug doesn’t hurt and it doesn’t need a scientific explanation to make someone happy with it – after all, that’s completely independent of gender.
Sources used: edition.cnn.com, paket.de