What is oxytocin and how do we get more of it?

When we simplify all the chaos, quiet all the noise, and are present in the stillness, it becomes clear that one of the most powerful human driving forces is our need to connect. This is something that scientists have been studying for quite some time now. Connection to Self and others is a primal survival skill we all have within, and it impacts the way we think, what we say and what we do. But what helps us feel connected and how do we strengthen those experiences and perhaps create more of them? First, it can be helpful to understand what is happening on a physiological level.

Oxytocin has been called “the love hormone” because it is released from the brain, into the body, and it plays a major role in our social interactions and emotional experiences. It’s that peaceful feeling of knowing when we turn within through self-exploration and it’s the ‘warm fuzzies’ we get when we bond with others. We know that when people experience more feelings of connection, it combats feelings of loneliness that in turn helps decrease our experience of pain and suffering, boosts our immune system and helps with overall resiliency. So how do we get more of it? Here are just a few ideas.

1. Meditate

2. Have a Living Room Song & Dance Party

3. Write in a Grateful Journal (and allow yourself to FEEL truly grateful)

4. Snuggle / Play With Pets

5. Cuddle / Hold Hands With / Hug Loved Ones

6. Practice EMPATHY Toward Others

7. Express Love / Do Something Kind For Others

If we give ourselves the opportunity to build awareness around how we treat our Self and others, we have a better chance of engaging in more positive interactions because we are leading with the intention of a greater purpose – love.