Nothing beats good company, good conversation, and a hot cup of cocoa while relaxing indoors on a cold winter night. The warmth emanating from the cup, the conversation, and the companionship make even the most difficult of times so easy and enjoyable…but that’s me and my taste, right? No! Science seems to agree with me on this point. A cup of cocoa can lead to more intimate interactions, engagements, and experiences.
The trick isn’t whether you add a dash of marshmallow to your hot chocolate (although some readers will vehemently disagree!). Whether you prefer rich, rich cocoa with or without cream, or light, milky cocoa, the answer lies in its temperature. A study from the University of Colorado and Yale University found that hot drinks evoke a warm response.
In this study, participants were paired and asked to rate the personality traits of a fictional character. On their way to the testing room, each couple was met in the lobby and given hot coffee to one and cold coffee to the other. Researchers consistently observed that participants drinking hot coffee tended to see subjects as warmer, while those sipping cold coffee “warmed up” more slowly. did. The results showed that participants were likelier to detect qualities such as trustworthiness, humanity, and friendliness in drinking hot coffee than in drinking cold coffee.
The results of this test may sound arbitrary as an independent reference point, but among larger studies examining the relationship between emotion and touch, the results are not surprising. The developmental relationship between, After all, we feel both! Being tactile is an important aspect of our emotional experience. Think about how affirming your feelings with a light gesture, a gentle touch, a full hug, or even a handshake can help your partner emotionally open up even when they’re struggling. The connection between communication and emotion goes beyond individual disposition and is critical to the human experience.
Interestingly, social norms and expectations often set tight limits on the types and frequencies of contact between people in social interactions. It can explain why one culture finds another ‘too cold and uncomfortable’, and the latter ‘too sensitive’ to the former. , seems to give our bodies concrete memories that anchor emotions and experiences.
But getting back to my lovely hot cocoa story, there’s no easier or safer way to warm up with someone than having a cup. Her grandmother always said so and she has no scientific knowledge.
