How oxytocin shapes our stress response
When we think of stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline often steal the spotlight. But there’s another hormone that plays a key role in how we respond to stress: oxytocin.
While cortisol triggers the fight-or-flight response, oxytocin helps us take a different approach: tend and befriend. This response, explored in the research of Taylor et al., suggests that when under stress, we’re more likely to seek out support from others and build social bonds that help promote recovery.
Here’s how oxytocin works in the body in terms of its stress response:
Cognitive control: Studies show that oxytocin can enhance cognitive function, particularly in high-stress situations. It helps improve decision-making and emotional regulation, which means you’re better equipped to handle challenges.
Social bonding: Oxytocin strengthens social connections, making you more likely to reach out for help or offer support to others. Your social support network makes a huge difference in reducing the negative effects of stress.
Emotional resilience: By boosting feelings of trust and safety, oxytocin helps increase emotional resilience and stay grounded even in stressful situations.
Unlike the high-alert responses of cortisol and adrenaline, oxytocin encourages positive, supportive interactions that help buffer stress. When stress hits, it can be useful to remember the power of oxytocin. Reach out, connect, and let oxytocin work for you.
Tend and Befriend: Biobehavioral Bases of Affiliation Under Stress
“Oxytocin, cortisol, and cognitive control during acute and naturalistic stress”