Boost your oxytocin so you can thrive during these crazy times
It feels as though lately people are starting to lose it.
I know the real stress started around March, but this past week, several people close to me just completely lost their cool.
Here is my epiphany (since you know I see everything through the lens of hormone balance):
Without our usual level of human contact, we are all suffering from a severe lack of oxytocin.
Oxytocin – the love hormone, the love molecule, the bonding hormone.
It is released during sex and during breastfeeding, and luckily also through many other activities, which is what I want to share with you today.
Oxytocin is released from your brain and goes directly out to the cells of your body.
Its benefits include:
- Reduces anxiety
- Lowers cortisol
- Promotes bonding
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves blood flow to your organs
- Helps with sleep
- Reduces cravings
Here are some ways (besides sex or breastfeeding) to get some oxytocin flowing through your body:
- Yoga
- Music
- Playing with a pet
- Meditation
- Talk with a friend
- Connect (meaningfully) on social media
- Get or give a massage to someone in your household
To help keep you calm and healthy during these stressful, physically distanced times, do what you can to get some oxytocin flowing. Your friends, family and co-workers will thank you.