Four Things That Make Everyone Feel Loved is such a wonderful thing to talk about right now!
In a study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, researchers from Pennsylvania State University and the University of California, Irvine, asked 495 men and women in the US to complete an online survey that presented them with 60 different scenarios.
The study identified some behaviors that nearly all participants agreed would make people feel loved. There was strong consensus around the following four scenarios:
Four Things That Make Everyone Feel Loved
- When someone shows compassion toward them in difficult times
- When a child snuggles up to them
- When their pets are happy to see them
- When someone tells them “I love you”
None of those behaviors are associated exclusively with romantic partners—a finding in keeping with the authors’ conclusion that “people feel loved in a range of settings much wider than just romantic relationships, which included momentary everyday interactions and experiences with friends, pets, and family.”
The Love Hormone
Oxytocin is known as the “love hormone” because it promotes bonding. Research tells us that oxytocin’s effects are basically the opposite of those linked to our “fight or flight” response. Higher levels are linked to feeling calmer and having a better capacity to deal with stress.
Here are ways to boost oxytocin.
- Physical contact — Hugs and massage
- Making eye contact
- Laughing
- Giving and receiving gifts (including money)
- Sharing meals with other
- Petting a dog, cat or other pet
- Doing “loving kindness” meditation or visualization
- Telling someone you love him or her
- Listening to calming music
- Speaking to someone you trust on the phone
- Walking or exercising with someone
Situations that make us feel safe, happy and connected tend to cause the release of several “feel good hormones,” including oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin.
The Good News
What I love about this topic is that it is a reminder of the simple things all of us can do to show our appreciation for one another
