Heartfelt key to calm & content

Feeling agitated? Your levels of oxytocin may need a boost. Also known as the ‘love hormone,’ oxytocin helps us form emotional bonds and empathize with others. But it also protects against stress, irritability and anxiety. In fact, a study in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that people with high oxytocin levels reported greater life satisfaction than those with lower levels of the hormone. We've rounded up the secrets to shoring up a shortfall

- Melissa Gotthardt

Savor scrambled eggs for breakfast

And toss in some cheese too. Eggs and cheeses such as mozzarella and cheddar are high in an amino acid known as tryptophan. And research conducted in the Netherlands suggests that enjoying three daily servings of tryptophan-rich fare can increase your oxytocin levels within a single day. Experts note that tryptophan is a building block for serotonin, a chemical that triggers oxytocin release. Other tryptophan-rich foods to enjoy include salmon, turkey and tofu.

Treat your feet to a rubdown

A DIY foot massage does more than soothe sore, tired feet: A report in the journal