Phone Calls With Mom Proven to Reduce Stress, Boost Oxytocin
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
A new study demonstrates that a short phone call with one's mother can significantly reduce stress hormones like cortisol and increase oxytocin, similar to a physical hug. The research found that text messages do not achieve the same beneficial physiological effects.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Phone calls with mothers reduce stress hormones and increase oxytocin.
- The effect is comparable to a physical hug.
- Text messages and WhatsApp do not yield the same benefits.
- Hearing the mother's voice is key to the positive impact.
A new study reveals that a simple phone call with one's mother can significantly reduce stress levels and increase feelings of love, mirroring the effects of a physical hug. Researchers from the digital age behavior research field, including Dr. Liraz Margalit, presented findings from an experiment where participants were subjected to a stressful public speaking scenario. The study compared three conditions: the mother's physical presence, a phone call with the mother, and no maternal involvement.
Results indicated that a brief phone conversation with a mother triggered a powerful physiological response. This response was characterized by a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol and an increase in the love hormone oxytocin. Dr. Margalit explained in an interview that this effect is comparable to receiving a physical embrace.
Crucially, the research found that text messages and WhatsApp communications, even those expressing affection like "I love you," do not produce the same hormonal benefits. Dr. Margalit emphasized that hearing a mother's voice is essential for eliciting these positive physiological changes, stating, "All WhatsApp calls, and/or 'I love you'/'I love you' on WhatsApp, doesn't work. It just doesn't work, you need to hear it."
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