If you’ve heard of oxytocin, you may be somewhat familiar with its relatively enviable reputation. Even if the name “oxytocin” is unfamiliar to you, you may be familiar with it by one of its other titles, such as “the love hormone,” “the hug hormone,” or “the bonding hormone.”
Oxytocin is a key component of human connection, as these nicknames imply. It’s a vital component of the link between parents and children and is released during childbirth and breastfeeding.
Hugging, kissing, snuggling, and sexual contact can all cause the release of the hormone oxytocin, which can also build relationships between adults.
According to these results, oxytocin in pregnancy has been categorized among the other happy hormones, which are known to have a favorable effect on mood and emotions.
Many Functions Of Oxytocin In Pregnancy
Uterine Contractions And Oxytocin
The nerve impulses from this stimulation travel to your brain and trigger your pituitary gland to release oxytocin in pregnancy into your bloodstream during labor when the fetus’s body (often the head) pushes against your cervix. Your uterus experiences oxytocin’s passage where it triggers contractions.
Your pituitary gland then releases more oxytocin in pregnancy as a result of these uterine contractions, which heightens the pain and frequency of contractions. Prostaglandins are a class of lipids with hormone-like properties, and oxytocin increases their production. Prostaglandins speed up labor and intensify contractions. This makes it possible for you to fully complete a vaginal birth.
Oxytocin And Breastfeeding
Oxytocin stimulates breastfeeding by inducing the myoepithelial cells in your breasts’ alveolar ducts to contract after your baby is delivered. Your breast tissue is moved by these contractions carrying milk.
As soon as your baby suckers on your breast, oxytocin in pregnancy is released, causing the milk to come out and allow the infant to eat. Your pituitary gland continues to release oxytocin while your baby is sucking. The secretion of oxytocin in pregnancyhalts once your baby stops eating until the following feeding.
Persons With Male Birth Genders’ Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a factor in ejaculation in those who were born assigned as male (AMAB). To eject sperm and semen, the hormone constricts the vas deferens. Moreover, testosterone, a sex hormone, is affected by oxytocin in the body.
You must realize, though, that oxytocin doesn’t magically alter your behavior. It doesn’t instantly make you believe in or adore someone. But, it might increase your sentiments of love, fulfillment, security, and trust for someone you already care about.
Your body naturally creates oxytocin, but if you want to truly experience love, try these 12 all-natural ways to increase oxytocin in pregnancy.
1. Try Yoga.
Many advantages of this wellness technique include:
alleviation from worry, stress, and other symptoms of moodiness
increased quality of life due to greater sleep
Yoga, however, may also aid in boosting oxytocin in pregnancy, according to 2013 Trusted Source research.
This short study investigated if yoga could help raise oxytocin in pregnancy in those with schizophrenia, a mental illness that frequently causes issues identifying facial emotions and other social challenges.
The 15 individuals in the study who practiced yoga for a month saw increases in their capacity to identify emotions and socio-occupational functioning. Oxytocin in pregnancy was also greater in them. Although their investigation did not uncover a correlation, the researchers speculate that there might be a connection between these results.
2. Listen To Music Or Create Some Yourself.
Although everyone has their musical preference, most people like listening to music of some kind.
You likely listen to music because you enjoy it, but you may also have realized that it has other advantages including enhancing your motivation, focus, and mood. It also appears to enhance social bonding skills, which is another benefit of oxytocin in pregnancy.
There isn’t much information now, however, a few tiny studies have revealed data that suggests music may increase oxytocin in pregnancy:
In a 2015 study, four jazz vocalists were tasked with singing two separate songs—one improvised and one composed. Oxytocin levels rose when the vocalists improvised. According to the study’s authors, this occurred because spontaneous performances necessitate strong social characteristics including teamwork, trust, and communication.
A 2009 study by Trusted Source found that 20 open-heart surgery patients who listened to music while on bed rest experienced higher levels of oxytocin and felt more at ease than those who did not.
Oxytocin levels rose after a singing lesson in a 2003 study of 16 vocalists (Reliable Source). The study subjects also mentioned feeling more energized and at ease.
Maybe not, but here’s another good excuse for you to crank up your favorite music:
3. Get A Massage (Or Give One).
Like a relaxing massage? Lucky for you.
15 minutes of massage may not only promote relaxation but may also increase oxytocin in pregnancy, according to a Trusted Source analysis of 95 persons.
This discovery is supported by research from 2015, which also adds to it by pointing out that oxytocin levels rise in the individual administering the massage.
What is oxytocin’s benefit to you? People frequently report less pain, stress, and anxiety after receiving a massage. Numerous people report feeling happier and more well-rounded as well.
Also, you can experience these advantages without paying for a professional massage. According to research, a partner’s or another loved one’s massage may be just as effective.
4 Tell Someone You Care About Them.
Want to improve the emotional bond you have with others? Let them know your feelings.
Several ways showing your love and affection to the people in your life can help you produce more oxytocin:
A loved one will frequently respond in kind when you express your feelings to them.
A hug, hand squeeze, or kiss can result from expressing your affection to a friend or spouse.
Explicitly expressing your gratitude to someone can improve prosocial behavior on both sides.
5. Have Fun With Friends.
Your emotional health can be significantly impacted by close friendships. Kicking it with your buddies might be fun, but it can also make you feel more supported by others and less alone in the world.
Oxytocin is at work there. Your pleasant experiences with your pals can make you feel better about your interactions and desire to hang out with them more.
When you spend more time with somebody, you tend to develop a stronger sense of trust and affection for them.
The more time you spend together, whether you have specific plans or just enjoy hanging out, the more probable it is that your relationship will get stronger.
Wise Tip
A bonus would be to attempt something new with a friend. Oxytocin release could be caused by a shared appreciation for the unusual experience.
6. Relax.
A regular meditation routine can help you feel happier, calmer, and more compassionate toward both yourself and other people. It can also help you manage stress and anxiety. These outcomes can significantly improve your social interaction and strengthen your bonds with others.
Yet concentrating on someone you care about during meditation also works to increase oxytocin in pregnancy. Compassion meditation, also known as loving-kindness meditation, is thinking of someone in your life with love, compassion, and goodwill as well as giving them thoughts of serenity and wellness.
brand-new to meditation? Here is how to start.
7. Make Your Interactions Meaningful.
A fundamental component of strong social interactions and relationships is active (or empathic) listening.
Sometimes, just really, actually listening to what someone has to say can help people connect and feel more connected, trustworthy, and empathic. It’s simple to tell someone you care about their concerns, but this demonstrates that you genuinely do.
As a result, when your buddy or lover wants to talk about anything significant, put anything that might distract you down, make eye contact with them, and pay full attention to what they have to say. You may feel more connected to each other as a result of this close contact, which causes the release of oxytocin.
8. Prepare Food (And Eat It) Together With A Loved One.
Chimpanzee research
Sharing meals may boost oxytocin in pregnancy, according to a dependable source.
Sharing food is a wonderful way to build relationships, so it makes sense for people as well. Recall your days in middle school or primary school. You could have made a buddy or two by sharing that cookie or packet of fruit snacks, right?
Along with food, cooking a meal with friends or a significant other can be enjoyable.
In addition to sharing the finished dinner, you also get to spend time with friends and form bonds around how it was prepared.
Not to mention that the act of eating itself can be pleasurable, even to the point of releasing oxytocin.
9. Enjoy Sexual Relations
One important approach to increase oxytocin in pregnancy and show someone else your affection is through sexual contact and climax in particular.
You can experience this rise in oxytocin even if you are not in a sexual relationship, which might help you feel more connected and intimate. Even with no obligations, having sex may lift your spirits and make you feel fantastic.
which is best? This increase in oxytocin in pregnancy benefits both you and your companion.
10. Hold Hands Or Hug
You don’t need to lie down to increase your oxytocin levels.
Hugging and other forms of physical affection like snuggling can also cause your body to produce oxytocin.
Hugs, holding hands, and cuddling all work well. Spend a few minutes giving your partner, child, or even a pet a warm, extended hug.
11. Show kindness To Others
Selfless or altruistic actions can also encourage oxytocin in pregnancy.
A random act of kindness or giving someone a gift makes them happy, which makes you happy too. The simple act of making someone else’s day better can also uplift you and make you feel better.
Live a charitable life if you can. Could try:
supplying assistance to a neighbor with a task
donating a few extra bucks to a charity that supports your preferred cause
getting a friend or family member a gift card
12. Dogs As Pets
Have we got a suggestion for you, dog lover?
Attempt to pause what you’re doing so that you can pet your dog. Are you feeling better now? Probably so does your dog. According to research, physical touch, such as patting and petting, causes oxytocin levels in humans and dogs to rise.
Because of this, hugging an animal companion when you’re unhappy can be incredibly soothing. You feel a little better because of the oxytocin your encounter produces.
Even though this study only examined interactions between humans and dogs, it is very certain that caressing your cat or giving your bird a head rub will probably have a similar impact.
The Bottom Line
There is still much that scientists need to learn about oxytocin in pregnancy, including its advantages and whether there is such a thing as too much of it. Research on this hormone isn’t conclusive.
Oxytocin is good, but it is not a cure, that much is certain. It is unable to build up your trust, restore a broken relationship, or grant you empathy.
It is best to seek professional advice from a therapist if you experience issues in your relationships or have trouble interacting with others. A therapist can assist you in examining potential causes and formulating plans to forge closer relationships with others.
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