42 WHAT EVERY BODY IS SAYING
reality he is calming his nervousness by drawing his arm across his body
and giving his hands something to do. These, too, are pacifying behaviors
ultimately governed by the limbic system and exhibited in response to
stress.
Below are some of the most common and pronounced pacifying be-
haviors. When you see them, stop and ask yourself, “Why is this person
pacifying?” The ability to link a pacifying behavior with the specific
stressor that caused it can help you understand a person’s thoughts, feel-
ings, and intentions more accurately.
Pacifying Behaviors Involving the NeckNeck touching and/or stroking is one of the most significant and fre-
quent pacifying behaviors we use in responding to stress. One person
may rub or massage the back of his neck with his fingers; another may
stroke the sides of his neck or just under the chin above the Adam’s apple,
tugging at the fleshy area of the neck. This area is rich with nerve end-
ings that, when stroked, reduce blood pressure, lower the heart rate, and
calm the individual down (see figures 13 and 14).
Men adjust their ties to deal with
insecurities or discomfort. It also covers
the suprasternal notch.Fig. 12