Let’s consider Oxytocin!

You may not be surprised to hear that during the peri menopause and beyond, not only does Oestrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone decline but so do other essential hormones.

This includes Oxytocin, often referred to as the love hormone, bonding hormone, or the cuddle hormone. Oxytocin has a positive effect on our mood and emotions and plays an important role in human bonding.

Often, we hear menopausal women say that they feel emotionally disconnected and loving relationships can be something of a challenge even downright difficult. Trust me as a mother of 3 teenagers, a son who I can get a half-hearted hug off if I just pin him down and 2 teenage girls approaching 15 who basically fight like cat and dog there is not a lot of love floating around our house.

However, this changed for me 9 months ago when Stanley the Cocker Spaniel pup entered our lives. Initially, his purpose was to be trained as an assistance/ therapy dog for one of my children. Instead, he has become my therapy dog, who brightens my day from the moment we wake to the moment when we fall asleep. He is a bundle of joy, yes, he can be a bit mad, but that’s to be expected as he is a Cocker after all!

The bond is strong and mutually loving, I can’t image life without him. I have lost a stone of stubborn weight which I could not budge before. It dropped off now without even trying. I have a renewed sense of pleasure when we explore the outdoors together, which I had all but forgotten about. His impact on my life has been profound. Research suggests that oxytocin is released by both the animal and human after physical contact such as petting and stroking.

Oxytocin can be released in other ways as well, such as:

• Random acts of kindness, doing something for a neighbour or friend.
• Giving money to charity.
• Volunteering for your favourite charity.
• Cuddling, hugging and physical touch can trigger its release.
• Sexual intimacy especially orgasm with a partner helps us to feel more connected.
• Preparing and sharing a meal with friends or a partner can increase our hormone levels.
• Generally spending quality time with the important people in our lives can improve our emotional wellbeing.
• Giving or receiving a massage for only 15 minutes can increase the oxytocin level for both people engaged in the activity.
• Listening to music and meditating can again stimulate the release of Oxytocin in our bodies, as can practising yoga.

There are many ways to increase our release of this essential hormone, I hope you enjoy finding out what suits you best.

On a final note, it’s a big thank you and happy birthday dear Stanley!