Oxytocin is sometimes known as the "cuddle hormone" or the "love hormone," because it’s released when people snuggle up or bond socially. When oestrogen levels dip through menopause so does oxytocin and all this interferes with our emotional control, making us less 'we' and more 'me' focused. And that’s why we apparently experience more irritability and rage. ⠀ ⠀ So to help things along, we need more oxytocin and here’s some ways to get it:⠀ * Laugh, play, hug, look into someone’s eyes and smile, give gratitude and thanks, play with a pet, and stay in the present (so difficult for many of us). So yes, you can hug that belly fat away!⠀ * Learn to control the stress you can (and learn to manage your thoughts around the stress you simply can’t control). ⠀ * Make a proactive effort to carve out time in each day to connect with others (get off your phones and talk).⠀ * Remember the “O” in oxytocin also is the “O” in orgasm! Making love is a great way to counter cortisol’s negative effects...