What do sex, shopping and smelling cookies baking have in common? Each of these pleasures, whether experienced or anticipated, cause a release of dopamine by the brain which stimulates the production of serotonin and oxytocin. These hormones collectively are often referred to as the “happy hormones” as they send signals to the brain and other parts of the body creating feelings of warmth and contentment but oxytocin is kind of a super power when it comes to helping you relax, release stress, and experience affection. Some say it may even help you lose weight.
Oxytocin, also known as the “love” hormone gives you a rush of pleasure from affection and connection. Oxytocin helps us feel relaxed and trusting of others. It is tied to both new and long-lasting love between couples. It can be initiated by simply receiving affection from others such as holding hands or caressing a cheek. Oxytocin promotes bonding between mother and child by being released during breastfeeding and through an affectionate touch. Oxytocin increases one’s pain threshold and promotes growth and healing. It reduces feelings of anxiety and depression and can reduce the effects of stress by lowering blood pressure and cortisol levels. Oxytocin suppresses our appetite by sending satiety signals to the brain reducing the desire for food and lowering food intake.
Whether you are looking to reduce anxiety and depression, stop overeating, feel happier or have a more intimate relationship with your partner, having a little more oxy in your life is a really good idea and very easy to do.
10 Ways to Increase Oxytocin
- Participate in Activities You Love – Some of my favorite activities include going for a walk in nature, taking a bath with candles and soft music, getting a massage, and shopping with friends.
- Being Playful – Children have this down and as adults we often forget to take time to play, act silly and truly engage in fun activities.
- Laugh – Watch a funny movie or talk to a friend who makes you laugh. In addition to producing oxytocin, laughing also stimulates the vagus nerve which activates the parasympathetic nervous system telling your body to relax, rest better and it improves digestion.
- Touch – Hugging, holding hands and other forms of touch expresses to others that we care about them. Be generous with hugs and be ready to fully receive them when they come your way.
- Self-Care – Plan time for self-care regularly whether it be getting a massage, try cryotherapy, taking time to read a book, or enjoying some quiet time to just sit and think.
- Rest – Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of rest daily to optimize health and healthy hormone production of all hormones including oxytocin.
- Eat Clean – Feed yourself exceptionally well! By including quality protein, plenty of produce and an abundance of healthy fats in your diet, you are giving your body everything it needs from a nutritional perspective to produce healthy hormones. Healthy fats and protein in particular are essential for the production of most hormones. Plus, the act of truly caring for yourself by feeding your body well will likely induce another release of oxytocin.
- Be Charitable – Giving to others, engaging with the community around you, and allowing others to also give to you is a wonderful way to boost oxytocin making you feel great.
- Gratitude – Expressing gratitude can be done in a number of ways. Calling someone and telling them how much you appreciate them, writing a thank you note, through prayer and meditation, or writing in your journal about the things you are grateful for, are all terrific ways to boost oxytocin for both you and the recipient. Even a simple thank you to someone who held open the door or carried in the groceries works.
- Intimacy – Intimacy is not just the act of love making, although this is GREAT for producing loads of oxytocin. Intimacy is also a feeling of being close and emotionally connected. It promotes feeling safe and supported. Others acts of intimacy include looking into your partners eyes, massaging their shoulders, intently listening to one’s thoughts and feelings, kissing, cuddling, and doing little favors that you know your partner will appreciate.
Choose one or two things you can do today to get your oxytocin levels up and likely someone else’s too!
Promote more love in your life by ditching sugar cravings for good with
“The Ultimate Sugar Detox Cheat Sheet”
