11 Ways to Increase Your Love Hormone

Oxytocin

11. The reason I put sex last instead of first. Yes I know it gives off the most natural oxytocin 2nd to labor. The problem is you can't just do this with anybody or anytime.

10. Listen with your eyes. Instead of looking at an electronic device, give the person with you your complete attention. Watch their face and listen to what he or she is telling you.

9. Give a gift. Our first human oxytocin studies showed that receiving gifts raised oxytocin. So why not make this a regular practice? The key is not to expect a gift in return, just surprise someone for no reason.

8. Share a meal. Eating moderately is calming and helps us bond with others. Including a glass of wine is fine, too. You can increase the effect by following #9 and making the meal you share a gift.

7. Meditate while focusing on others. My lab has found that a form of meditation called "metta," in which one focuses on loving others, is better at fostering social connections than standard mindfulness meditation.

6. Soak in a hot tub. I love to do this with loved ones. The warm temperature and time together offer the ability to connect with them, not to mention loads of fun.

5. Use social media. OK, I have to be honest that this is my least favorite oxytocin booster, but you should know that 100% of the people tested using social media had an increase in oxytocin. Levels similar to actually seeing someone in person. Just don't forget to see your Facebook friends in person, too.

4. Ride a roller coaster or jump out of an airplane. Many activities that are moderately stressful and done with one or more other people raise oxytocin. Studies show that skydiving produces a oxytocin spike greater than 200%. Try being a single rider on a roller coaster and you'll experience an immediate bond with the person next to you.

3. Pet a dog.This doesn't always work unless the dog belongs to you, but if you identify as a "dog person," any old dog will raise your oxytocin. The dog won't complain, either. And once your oxytocin is up, you'll connect better to the humans around you, too.

2. Use the "L" word. Tell those around you that you love them. Oxytocin is the love hormone so it is part of our evolved biology to love others (both "philia" and "eros"). You've got to put it out there to get it back. With friends, too, and maybe even at work.

1. 11 hugs a day. Studies have shown that touch not only raises oxytocin, but it reduces cardiovascular stress and can improve the immune system, too. Try telling people that you hug rather than shake hands and see what happens when you give others the gift of oxytocin.

Bonus

Laughing and smiling at least 11 times a day is an astronomical boost in oxytocin.

Studies show that the more one releases oxytocin, the easier it becomes to do so. That has certainly been my experience in practicing these oxytocin-releasing activities. If you can do all 11/ bonus, you'll be an OXYTOCIN MASTER...

Why is Oxytocin the most important Hormone on the Planet?

New research is suggesting that oxytocin plays a crucial part in enabling us to not just forge and strengthen our social relations, but in helping us to stave off a number of psychological and physiological problems as well. But more conceptually, oxytocin is proving to be a crucial ingredient to what makes us human. One of the neat things about oxytocin is that you can get your fix anywhere and at any time and it FREE.

Here's a few reasons why oxytocin is the most important hormone on the planet.

The Love Hormone

Oxytocin is typically associated with helping couples establish a greater sense of intimacy and attachment. Oxytocin, along with dopamine and norepinephrine, are believed to be highly critical in human pair-bonding. But not only that, it also increases the desire for couples to gaze at one another, it creates sexual arousal, and it helps males maintain their erections. When you're sexually aroused or excited, oxytocin levels increase in your brain significantly — a primary factor for bringing about an orgasm. And during the orgasm itself, the brain is flooded with oxytocin — a possible explanation for why (some) couples like to cuddle after sex.

Reduces Social Fears

Given its ability to break-down social barriers, induce feelings of optimism, increase self-esteem, and build trust, oxytocin is increasingly being seen as something that can help people overcome their social inhibitions and fears. Studies are showing that it may be effective in treating debilitating shyness, or to help people with social anxieties and mood disorders. It's also thought that oxytocin could help people suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. In addition, given that autism is essentially a social communication disorder, it's being considered as a way of helping people on the spectrum as well. And lastly, oxytocin, through its trust-building actions, can help heal the wounds of a damaged relationship — another example of how the mind gets its plasticity.

Natural Pain Relief and Heals Wounds

Amazingly, oxytocin can also be used to heal wounds (through its anti-inflammatory properties). Studies have also shown that a rise in oxytocin levels can relieve pain — everything from headaches, cramps and overall body aches. Now, that being said, the trick is to get some oxytocin action while you're in pain — which is not so easy. Alternately, if you find yourself in physical discomfort, you could always ask your partner for a roll in the hay.

So guys, be sure to use this crucial information the next time your significant other declines your advances and tells you she has a headache.

It Helps Mommy Be Mommy

But oxytocin isn't just limited to helping couples come together — it's an indispensable part of childbirth and mother-child bonding. Oxytocin helps women get through labour by stimulating uterine contractions, which is why it's sometimes administered (as Pitocin) during labor. It's been known to promote delivery and speed up contractions. After birth, mothers can establish intimacy and trust with their baby through gentle touches and even a loving gaze. In addition, mothers can pass on oxytocin to their babies through breast milk. And it's worth noting that fathers can reap the benefits of oxytocin as well; new dads who are given a whiff of oxytocin nasal spray are more likely to encourage their children to explore during playtime and are less likely to be hostile.

Take A Risk or Miss The Chance

You'll never see a u-haul behind a Hurst. You can't take your resources with you.

The Egyptians tried it, and all they got was robbed.

So stop making excuses for not having enough money or time, those are resources. Instead master being resourceful like an Alchemist. Turn lead into gold, turn lemon into lemonade, lose your job start a business with the skills you've learned, when the stock market dips is the time to buy.

Fails. Evidence. Appearing. Real

The Amygdala is responsible for the response and memory of emotions, especially Fear.

When you think of the amygdala, you should think of one word. FEAR. The amygdala is the reason we are afraid of things outside our control. It also controls the way we react to certain stimuli, or an event that causes an emotion, that we see as potentially threatening or dangerous.

Bonus fun fact

Numerous studies have been performed where researches have used deep lesioning (procedure where a thin wire is inserted into the brain to remove or terminate a part of the brain) to remove the amygdala of rats. After this procedure, the rats were said to have no fear of anything, even cats. The removal of the amygdala had taken away the rats' memory of fear, therefore the rats did not fear anything!

I'm not suggesting you should remove your Amygdala. However increasing your oxytocin will reduce the signal to your amygdala astronomical, reducing your fear. So you say….

Ok here's the bottom line. Reducing your fear means you take more risk increasing the opportunity to succeed. You will fall in love with the process with confidence in the overall outcome. It's the overall outcome that's the point not the details being perfect on the way there. Having the courage to push through is how you win.

Increasing your own oxytocin is being resourceful. You get it, you are your resources, not your mom, dad, money, time or anything. It's you that makes the choice to

no matter what, to just get shit done.