1When they are upset, move physically closer before you say anything.
Nearness often comforts before any words can, and asks nothing in return.
Where it sits. Gottman method, Turn Toward; affection and touch
Islamic evidence
Allah is gentle and loves gentleness in all things, the Prophet ﷺ said, and nearness offered without words is one of gentleness's plainest forms.
“Another of His signs is that He created spouses from among yourselves for you to live with in tranquillity: He ordained love and kindness between you. There truly are signs in this for those who reflect”
Qur'an 30:21
“It was narrated from Aishah that the Prophet(ﷺ) said:"Allah is Gentle and loves gentleness in all things”
Psychological evidence
When someone is distressed, closeness often reaches them before any sentence can. Moving toward them first says I am here more convincingly than advice.
Jolink, T.; Chang, Y.; Algoe, S. (2021). Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi
Reciprocal daily spiral between responsiveness and affectionate touch.
Coan, J.; Schaefer, H.; Davidson, R. (2006). Psychological Science · doi
Spousal handholding attenuated neural threat response; effect tracked marital quality.
Review detail
Why it works. Proximity and touch help regulate distress between partners.