Social ties

The study (The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 2019, DOI: 10.1016/S2352-4642(19)30165-0) says that friends and kind teachers help kids feel less scared. Being close to others makes you happier because your brain makes “hug hormones” (like oxytocin). This helps about 4 out of 10 kids worry less. In the HARMO method, the middle finger (“Render help”) means helping others or yourself by asking: “What does love do? What does help do?” You stretch out your hand , like giving help. This is like the study: helping someone, like smiling, makes you feel stronger and reduces fears. It’s easy and works everywhere!