You must have heard of the many benefits of oxytocin in the body and you’re wondering how to increase it. For starters, oxytocin is a love hormone that is produced in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus.
Unfortunately, excess oxytocin can create a wall between you and those outside your inner circle. It works by increasing fear towards those outside your social group.
Benefits of oxytocin
- Oxytocin promotes attachment: This love chemical is vital during pregnancy as it creates a strong bond between mother and child. In other words, women with high oxytocin levels tend to bond better with their babies after birth compared to those with lower levels.
- Oxytocin shapes your emotional memories: Oxytocin builds relationships in a mother-to-child bond. Children who lack emotional care from their mothers tend to have lower oxytocin levels.
- Oxytocin induces sleep: It helps you feel calm and loved, which is a relaxing feeling. As a result, you can sleep easily without worrying.
Ways to increase oxytocin
Oxytocin has several benefits making it an essential hormone in children and adults. Ultimately, every person should work to build their oxytocin levels.
Below are ways that you can use to increase your oxytocin:
- Meditation: When you meditate, it minimizes stress and makes you feel optimistic about your activities.
- Listening to music: Music has proven to be a source of happiness for several individuals. The right type of music can improve your focus, motivates you, and increase your oxytocin level.
- Spending time with friends: Spending time with the people you’re comfortable around makes you feel better. With this, your body produces more oxytocin.
Oxytocin Deficiency Symptoms
How to know if excess oxytocin may be helpful to you? Below are some signs of an oxytocin deficiency:
- Lack of social interaction
- Lack of recognition
- Problems in keeping long-lasting relationships
- You might be additive to materials
Causes of oxytocin deficiency
Oxytocin is linked to several psychiatric disorders, which includes:
- Depression
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Anxiety
