Ode to Oxytocin...

... What's wrong with you, he asked!
Nothing's wrong... 

Maybe I just lack a bit of oxytocin, the "cuddle hormone"...

Oxytocin has been described as the hormone of love. This tiny chemical, released from the hypothalamus region of the brain, gives rat mothers the urge to nurse their pups, keeps male prairie voles monogamous and, even more remarkable, makes people trust each other more. 

But, the love and trust it promotes are not toward the world in general, just toward a person’s in-group. So, Oxytocin turns out to be the hormone of the clan, not of universal brotherhood. 

Also, physiologically, oxytocin rewards those who maintain good social bonds with feelings of well-being, but when it comes on board during times of high social stress or pain, it may "lead people to seek out more and better social contacts", so stress-related manifestations of oxytocin may produce physiological changes that then encourage people to seek contact with others,

Better not stress too much...

Hum, so how do we stimulate it???

Ingestion of food triggers oxytocin release by activation of vagal afferent nerves*
*(Besides output to the various organs in the body, the vagus nerve conveys sensory information about the state of the body's organs to the central nervous system. 80-90% of the nerve fibers in the vagus nerve are afferent (sensory) nerves communicating the state of the viscera to the brain.)

So most likely, it can also be released by stimulation of other senses such as olfaction, as well as by certain types of sound and light. In addition, purely psychological mechanisms can trigger the release. This means that positive interaction involving touch and psychological support may be health-promoting.

So that brings us to the effects of a relaxing Massage...
Oxytocin can be released by various types of sensory stimulation, for example by touch and warmth. Bloodstream levels of oxytocin have been shown to rise during massage.

Sex, Smiling, Holding hands...
Adults seeking an oxytocin surge should head for the bedroom. The hugging and touching during foreplay fires up the love chemical, and orgasm spikes the hormone level to two times the normal amount. This opens the door to a relaxed feeling and a greater opportunity to bond with your partner.

If you're too tired to seek out a bit of badabim badaboom, get a pet ; )
Petting a dog or cat you love can also increase oxytocin levels

Don't have a pet, don't have a partner, don't have food on your fridge, no one you can call?  Well daydream about your most exciting fantasies...

Ah, and another postive aspect: Oxytocin reduces fear...
Animal and human studies indicate the major role of the amygdala in controlling fear and anxiety. Oxytocin tempers the excitatory inputs into the amygdala. 

Ok, people let's cuddle, let's daydream, let's get our Oxytpcin levels higher!

- The previous information was taken from many different websites, not all of them scientifically certified ; )