Yahoo Lifestyle Prevention
How to Boost Your Love Drug
Four tips to boosting oxytocin and increasing the bond with your partner.
Our natural love potion—the hormone oxytocin—can potentially do more than make us feel good: it may also be an effective treatment for depression.
This ‘cuddle chemical’ increases our prosocial behaviour, so it could be a potent antidote to the alienation that people feel when their mood is low.
Here are four ways to get an instant oxytocin surge and feel better—fast!
1. Wrap both arms around someone you care about
Breathe deeply and relax into a big, warm hug. Snuggling with pets works, too!
2. Bask in the afterglow
During sex and after orgasm, the brain is flooded with oxytocin. Cuddling and kissing also help (like we need an excuse!).
3. Work the gratitude attitude
Say thank you. Being kind, sincere, helpful and empathic can also unleash the ‘love drug’.
4. Take a loving look at the people you care for
Or simply think about them in a warm, positive light.
