Research on the Butterfly Hug Technique for Reducing Anxiety in Students

A study published in the Basic and Applied Nursing Research Journal found that the Butterfly Hug technique helped reduce anxiety in nursing students who were in long-distance relationships (LDR) with their parents. The researchers tested whether a simple self-soothing strategy helps provide relief from the stress of long-distance separation.

The intervention involved practicing the Butterfly Hug, which is an easy self-soothing method developed for trauma survivors. Students would cross their arms over their chest and tap their shoulders rhythmically while focusing on their breathing. The study compared this group to students who received music therapy instead.

After just 6 days of practicing the butterfly hug, students reported a significant drop in anxiety levels, whereas the music therapy group did not show meaningful changes.

This is more than just an interesting study — it gives young people a tool to cope with the emotional difficulties of being away from home. It’s especially useful for those leaving home for the first time.

Understanding the Research

The research was done at Surakarta University from February 4 to February 18, 2023. There were 60 students with mild to moderate anxiety. Half of them tried the butterfly hug, and the other half listened to music as a comparison.

To check their anxiety, the study used a survey called the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. It asks about feelings and body symptoms of anxiety, like being scared or feeling shaky. The survey helps to know if someone has low, medium, or high anxiety.

The butterfly hug therapy had 8 sessions in 6 days. In these sessions, students learned how to tap their arms gently while hugging themselves to feel calm and think positive thoughts. The control group listened to music during this time. The study looked at how their anxiety changed before and after the therapy.

These were the findings:

• Music therapy in the control group led to some anxiety reduction (43.3% from moderate to mild, 53.3% from mild to normal), but no significant effect was found.
• The butterfly hug therapy in the intervention group significantly reduced anxiety levels, with 13.3% moving from moderate to mild anxiety and 86.7% from mild to normal anxiety.
• Butterfly hug works by stimulating the amygdala and balancing brain activity. On the other hand, music therapy affects anxiety temporarily by influencing the hypothalamus and limbic system, but its effects are less lasting.
• The butterfly hug is a bilateral stimulation technique, which is a core component of EMDR. EMDR is often used for trauma or other mental health struggles. It helps regulate the nervous system and process traumatic memories. It can also be used to calm and ground oneself.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

If your child or teen is living away from home, you’ve probably felt worried about how they’re coping emotionally. How can you, as a parent or caregiver, support them from afar? Here are some tips:

Teach and practice the butterfly hug together (even virtually)

You can do the technique together on a video call. Practice it during a FaceTime or Zoom call to make it feel less awkward and more normal. Reassure them that the tapping may feel silly at first, but over time, it becomes second nature

Normalize talking about anxiety and stress

Sometimes, all your child needs is to feel heard. Avoid immediately jumping into “fix-it” mode — just listening and validating their emotions can go a long way. Use casual check-ins rather than intense conversations. Even a simple text like, “What’s your stress level today, 1–10?” can show them you’re there without overwhelming them.

Teach them to use kind, calming phrases

Negative self-talk can make anxiety worse. Teach your child to pair the butterfly hug with statements that promote calm, like “I’m safe” or “This feeling will pass.” Over time, this combo can become a calming ritual. Support it by sending a daily affirmation. 

Here’s a list of affirmations they can use. 

Because most participants were senior students who had been away from home for 4 years, the researchers recommend further studies on newer students (Level I) and the parents of children who have recently migrated.

Want to help your child build stronger coping skills? Whether you’re near or far, our Anxiety Worksheets and Stress Management Worksheets will help them build self-soothing techniques.