Study: Hearing a mother’s voice can calm stress like a hug

Thekabarnews.com – Many individuals may not know how strong a mother’s voice may be. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison did a study that showed that hearing a mother’s voice may calm a stressed youngster almost as well as touching them. In essence, hearing a mother’s voice can calm stress like a hug.

The study found that just hearing their mother’s voice made girls who were under stress have more oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”) and less cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone). The biological response was quite similar to what happened when the girls’ mothers hugged them. However, sending the same comfort via text message did not yield the same relaxing effect.

Voice, hormones, and controlling emotions

Oxytocin is important for trust, emotional bonding, and stress release. Cortisol, on the other hand, is linked to the body’s fight-or-flight response. The researchers say that the hormonal changes seen in the study show that vocal communication turns on emotional control systems in the brain in ways that textual communication does not. This finding reinforces the idea that hearing a mother’s voice can calm stress like a hug.

In the experiment, young girls were put in a stressful circumstance and then given the choice to physically be with their moms, talk to their mothers on the phone, or text their mothers.

The results were very surprising. Girls who talked to their moms on the phone had almost the same hormonal response as girls who got a hug. On the other hand, girls who sent and received text messages did not demonstrate a substantial increase in oxytocin or a significant decrease in cortisol levels.

Why text messages don’t work

Researchers think that the tone, rhythm, and warmth of the human voice may express emotions in a way that text messages can’t. These sounds appear to activate ancient brain circuits associated with safety and social bonding, showing that hearing a mother’s voice can calm stress like a hug.

The researchers said that human speech has a lot of emotional information. Hearing a voice you know may make you feel better in ways that have been around since before written language.

This research contradicts the belief that digital communication suffices as a replacement for direct human interaction, particularly in emotionally charged contexts.

Consequences for contemporary parenting and mental health

At a time when screens increasingly mediate communication, the study bears significant implications. The results indicate that a phone call may provide significantly greater comfort than a text message, especially for children facing stress or anxiety, according to parents, educators, and caregivers.

Mental health professionals perceive a wider significance. Talking to someone on the phone or leaving voice notes could be a beneficial way to offer emotional support, especially when you cannot be there in person.

Researchers argue that the results of the study, which focused on girls and maternal voices, probably show a more general biological mechanism linked to trusted social ties.

A reminder in the age of technology

The study serves as a reminder that human biology has not changed as swiftly as communication technologies have, even as technology continues to alter how people connect. 

When you are feeling awful, hearing a familiar voice might still be one of the best ways to feel better. In summary, hearing “I am here” may mean a lot more than reading it when it comes to emotional support.