Generally known as the “love hormone,” oxytocin is much more than that. In addition to promoting social interactions, oxytocin is a hormone that helps reduce blood pressure and cortisol levels, increases the pain threshold, reduces anxiety and stimulates various types of positive social interactions in addition, promotes growth and healing.
The effect of oxytocin, like other brain-oriented chemicals, is more vulnerable to change than its absolute levels. Oxytocin helps adequately respond to the demands of our social environment and critical situations by varying their concentration in different areas of the brain.
- So.
- Without focusing on oxytocin levels in general.
- You have to wonder how to achieve these changes in real time to benefit from their effects.
- In certain situations.
- Such as during sex or childbirth.
- Oxytocin is released naturally.
However, there are many other ways to increase the levels of this hormone to reduce stress and feel better. Additionally, research shows that the more oxytocin you release, the easier it will be to do so, which means that by acting the way you see below, it will be easier to feel better, even in the face of adversity, pain, and stress. Surprise attack
Oxytocin triggers a reward system that is activated and deactivated when we are in a loving relationship, it is well known that sex increases oxytocin levels, however, in men, it is released only when they have an orgasm with someone with whom they have an emotional connection. .
But not only does the physical contact derived from sexual intercourse increase levels of oxytocin, in general hugs, kisses and caresses help to rapidly increase levels of oxytocin, and for that you do not need to have sex, not even a romantic relationship. and kissing is something you can do with your friends, family and even your pets.
When someone praises, encourages or comforts us, we feel good about ourselves, these good-humoured words make us feel loved and appreciated, this way of feeling good also increases when we are the ones who offer these words to others
Words are a powerful weapon to feel good and make others feel good. They can give us kindness, compassion, and love. Plus, they connect us to others, causing oxytocin levels to spike on both sides.
Listening is an amazing way to increase oxytocin. Everyone likes to feel recognized, we all like to be heard and accepted. When you’re present in a physical place where you are and you listen to the other, there’s a connection between the two. Listening carefully, avoiding any form of distraction, offers a unique sense of reward.
Listen with your eyes, paying no attention to your mobile phone or anything else. Don’t do multiple tasks when someone asks for your attention. Pay full attention to the person who is speaking to you. Look him in the eye as he hears what that person is telling him.
Meditation relaxes the body and mind, allowing the mind to release stress. It is associated with the cultural pattern that we treat as a tradition deeply rooted in the Eastern tradition, but that does not mean that we cannot benefit from its power.
In Western culture, the word meditation comes from Latin meditation, which originally meant a type of intellectual exercise, in this sense meditation is a valuable tool of relaxation, both in the body and in the mind, so not to be in combat. In case of flight, oxytocin is released. This balance lowers blood pressure and unlocks the senses.
“Meditation and prayer nourish the soul. -Og Mandino-
Exercise isn’t just about keeping your body healthy, with exercise and physical activity increasing endorphins and also oxytocin, as well as promoting the arrival of oxygen into the brain and other parts of the body. The amount of hormones released to the brain is also beneficial.
To exercise and get all these benefits you don’t have to go to the gym, run or bike if it’s not what you want or if it’s possible to do it, going for a walk or doing moderate exercise at home is enough to get a release of oxytocin and feel better quickly.
Research shows that defensive control of our emotions decreases oxytocin levels. The accumulation of energy that makes our suffering more assumed means that stress settles into our lives and physical problems begin to appear.
Crying is just an act of liberation from this energy, remember how you felt after those moments when you couldn’t stop crying, as relaxed as if you had done an hour of meditation or moderate exercise, so the effects we described on oxytocin Levels would be similar to those described in the previous paragraphs.
“Tears disinfect the pain. -Ramon Gumez of the Serna-
You feel good when you give and when you give, to be generous and charitable, in addition to giving our time to others selflessly, makes gratitude and connection with others flourish, releasing large doses of oxytocin.
Another generous gesture that releases oxytocin is to give someone the heart, a detail for which it is not necessary to have the excuse of great success or the celebration of a birthday, what really triggers the release of oxytocin is the fact that you think of the other with love and you are willing to please it.