To love and be loved are two of the best experiences in life. Unfortunately, love is more than a feeling and needs a lot of things to thrive.
"It takes work to keep the romance alive..." Ravid Yosef, a dating and relationship coach at LoveLifeTBD.com tells Bustle. Given this, it is just crucial to make a constant effort to keep the fire burning.
A study recently published in the Journal of Marriage and Family reveals several ways on how couples can become closer to each other, which can help them ignite their passion even more.
Through the research, the experts found out a couple of activities that can result in the release of oxytocin, which is the hormone that is said responsible for bonding the couple together.
Karen Melton, the co-author of the study and also an Assistant Professor of family and consumer sciences at Baylor University, explained more about oxytocin by saying, "Oxytocin is dubbed the cuddle hormone-the love hormone-and that's because it's associated with romantic bonding."
The expert further explained that oxytocin is not just released by the body naturally. Before it is released, the body has to be stimulated first. And through the study, the researchers were glad to discover several recreational activities that can trigger the body to release this love hormone.
By studying the urine samples of about twenty married and couples living together, researchers found out how playing board games and creating magnificent and unique paintings can increase the level of oxytocin in one's body.
Throughout the study, couples who played both activities have an increased oxytocin level from 3.86 nanograms per milliliter of urine to 4.88 nanograms after the activity.
Meanwhile, men who have tried only art class shows more amazing results.
The results revealed that their oxytocin levels rose about three nanograms more after they made their masterpieces with their loved ones.
Though it is not perfectly revealed in the studies why art class activities create a more positive response towards a person's oxytocin levels, researchers reveal that the difference might not be because of the activity itself.
Experts behind the study explain that during the activity, they noticed how the couples were helping, supporting, and encouraging each other verbally and physically. According to TIME, since men are sensitive to touch, it is then they are most likely produce oxytocin hormones more.
Melton further explained, "It's difficult to say how a specific increase translates in real life, but oxytocin is only released when there's stimulation, so any increase is likely related to feelings of bonding."
