Melbourne, Dec 26 : Ever wondered why crawling into the foetal position helps alleviate the pain of a bad news or stressful situation or even physical pain?

There is a mental and a physiological explanation to the relief brought by this position, which has been described as a "natural defensive posture" by sports medicine specialist Dr. Bob Adams.

According to Outside Online , the mental side of things has to do with the womb, where we first felt safe and warm, News. com. au reported.

While explaining the physiological reason, Adams said that by curling up, you relax the skeletal muscles by stopping them from moving around in your belly. (ANI)