Oxytocin...the hormone of labor, love and more!
You may have heard about the stress hormone cortisol and how it can affect your body. There is another hormone that is pretty much the opposite of cortisol I would like to tell you about and that is oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone and chemical messenger that is produced in the brain, most people are familiar with this hormone because of its key role in childbirth and breastfeeding.
Oxytocin has been referred to as the "love hormone" due to its role in bonding between people, so it is no wonder that oxytocin also appears to play a role in various emotional, social, and cognitive processes, like enhancing mood, sexual arousal, and social memory. One of the most well-known roles of oxytocin is in promoting bonding between individuals. It is released in various situations, such as during hugs, cuddling, or intimate moments. This surge of oxytocin creates feelings of warmth, trust, and connection between people, strengthening social bonds.
Oxytocin is particularly important during childbirth and breastfeeding. During and after labor increased levels of oxytocin help with uterine contractions Following childbirth, oxytocin facilitates the bonding between a mother and her newborn, this is why breast feeding is encouraged when you can however just as a side note, oxytocin is still released with close contact and eye contact so even if you are bottle feeding there is still a release of oxytocin for both the parent and the child.
Believe it or not, oxytocin can help reduce stress. When released, it has a calming effect on the body, lowering cortisol levels – the hormone associated with stress. This is one reason why activities like hugging or spending time with loved ones can be so effective in alleviating stress and promoting emotional well-being. Oxytocin isn't just about romantic love or parent-child bonding; it also influences general social behavior. Research suggests that increased levels of oxytocin can enhance empathy, generosity, and cooperation among individuals. This hormone seems to encourage prosocial behavior, making us more inclined to be kind and compassionate toward others.
So, you may be wondering what you can do to increase your oxytocin levels naturally, there are a number of simple things that you can do starting today! You can start by giving someone a hug. Hugging is a quick and simple way to boost your oxytocin levels. Studies have found that a 10-second hug helps the body fight infections, eases depression, and lessens tiredness.
Hang out with people you enjoy being around. Spending time with friends and loved ones helps to give you a boost of oxytocin. Strong friendships can make a big difference in your emotional well-being and can provide lasting benefits to everyone involved.
Pet a dog! If you know me you know this is one of my favorite ways to get a boost of oxytocin. Pet therapy, in particular being around dogs, has been shown to provide a boost in oxytocin in both the people and the pups. This is why companion dogs are so beneficial to everyone, especially those folks who aren't able to get out much.
Try doing some yoga. Even if you aren't brave enough to take a class, YouTube has made it super easy to do yoga from the comfort of you own home. In addition to providing you with a boost of oxytocin yoga has been shown to help provide relief from anxiety, stress and depression, improve overall mood, improve sleep quality and provide you with an improved quality of life overall. Not to mention, keeping flexible and limber is just good for you.
Listen to music! Have you ever experienced how listening to your favorite song can just turn the mood around? It's not just you, studies have shown time and again that listening to music provides a bump in oxytocin levels.
A daily meditation practice can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve your mood, and help you feel more compassion toward yourself and others. These effects can go a long way toward increasing your sense of connection and bolstering your relationships with others as well as increasing your oxytocin levels.
My last piece of advice is to get adjusted! Regular chiropractic care helps to improve oxytocin levels in a few ways. The first is the simple act of touch between two people encourages release of oxytocin. The second and perhaps bigger reason is that regular chiropractic care improves communication between your brain and body and it has been shown to impact your nervous system in a way that helps you become more resilient to the stresses of life.
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