# University of Graz: 20-second self-touch lowered cortisol most in 159 people awaiting a presentation

- Published: 2026-11-14 02:59 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Neurotechnology
- Tags: self-touch and cortisol, stress hormone, anxiety before a presentation, University of Graz study, Alesha Dreisoerner, oxytocin, C-tactile fibers, chronic stress, 20-second touch
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-b8a951bcfd91061a637a934e_university_of_graz/

**In an experiment with 159 participants awaiting a presentation, a hand on the chest and abdomen lowered cortisol more than a hug or folding paper planes, the authors report.**

![University of Graz: 20-second self-touch lowered cortisol most in 159 people awaiting a presentation](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/e09179015bfddcf5.jpg)
*Tomascastelazo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0*

Researchers at the University of Graz in Austria report that touching one's own body for 20 seconds lowered the stress hormone cortisol in people facing a public talk, according to cursorinfo.co.il. The experiment involved 159 participants, who were told shortly before the test that they would have to give a presentation to an audience. [1]

## Experiment design and result

When participants felt anxious, they were offered one of three ways to calm down. The options were 20 seconds of self-touch with one hand on the heart and the other on the abdomen, a 20-second hug, or folding paper planes. Self-touch lowered the cortisol level the most. [1]

The author of the experiment, Alesha Dreisoerner, a lecturer at the Institute of Psychology of the University of Graz, suggested that the effect is linked to the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with a feeling of calm. This is the author's assumption. [1]

## Follow-up study and touch variants

Dreisoerner also ran a second study with 78 participants described as "chronically stressed". For two weeks they practiced calming self-touch for five minutes a day. Afterwards they reported feeling less tense, tired and lonely. [1]

The researchers describe several variants of the technique. One is placing one or both hands on the heart or abdomen, taking a few deep breaths and focusing on warmth and pressure for about 20 seconds. Others are crossing the arms over the chest and lightly squeezing the shoulders or forearms, gently placing the palms on the cheeks, or slowly stroking the skin of the forearm. The last movement, they say, activates C-tactile nerve fibers, which respond specifically to gentle touch. [1]

For situations in front of an audience, where drawing attention is undesirable, the scientists mention less noticeable options: pressing one's own palms together or lightly laying one hand over the other at waist level. According to the report, the technique requires no preparation and no outside help. [1]

## Sources

1. [cursorinfo.co.il](https://cursorinfo.co.il/interest/kak-preodolet-trevogu-pered-vazhnoj-vstrechej-sovety-uchenyh)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-b8a951bcfd91061a637a934e_university_of_graz/