Placing a hand on the heart for 20 seconds may help reduce cortisol, a hormone linked to stress, according to a study mentioned in the Washington Post. In an experiment involving 159 participants, researchers tested three different stress management techniques. One group placed their hand on their heart for 20 seconds, another group received a hug, and the third group made paper airplanes. The results showed that cortisol levels were significantly lower in the first two groups compared to those who made paper airplanes. Aljoscha Dreisoerner, a professor of psychology at the University of Graz in Austria, explained that the study suggests performing this gesture before a stressful event can reduce the body’s stress response. While scientists are still exploring why this technique works, some believe it may involve oxytocin, a hormone associated with feelings of calm and social bonding. Dreisoerner also noted that combining the gesture with deep breathing can create a more comprehensive stress-reduction method, affecting both physical and mental states. Kristin Neff, a psychologist in the United States, explained that touch, especially on the chest area, sends a signal of safety to the nervous system. She noted that the chest is where people often feel emotions related to love and care, and placing a hand there naturally evokes these feelings. A separate study published in Scientific Reports followed 500 people who placed one hand on their heart and the other on their abdomen every day for six months. Eli Susman, a psychologist and co-author of the study, said that the more participants practiced this daily habit, the greater the reduction in their stress levels. Kristin Neff emphasized that 20 seconds is enough for the technique to be effective, though she acknowledged other methods of grounding oneself, such as feeling the soles of the feet against the ground or touching something soft. These alternative techniques can also help manage stress by creating a sense of connection and safety.