When I was a kid and had lucid dreams (nightmares) about attackers, I would do the same thing as recommended, I asked if they wanted to be my friend. It worked.

When I was older, I ran away from the attackers. Now, I'm a martial artist, and I beat up anyone trying to attack me. It doesn't hurt, and they don't get "killed". I win.

But yeah, you should go with the hugging. I'm just so violent... I tend to build up aggression, and I feel better after a lucid fight.