Good listening is better than taking drugs

We’re all familiar with that warm fuzzy feeling we get when we have a positive connection with someone – but what does it all mean?

When a person feels that you notice and accept them, a number of feel good hormones are activated in their brain.

These hormones include;

Oxytocin which is sometimes called the cuddle hormone

Endorphins which comes about particularly from exercise and laughter

Dopamine also known as the reward hormone and Serotonin which helps to regulate your mood and happiness.

The act of smiling at somebody and listening to them also reduces the stress inducing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline which are activated when people feel under threat.

“When you listen to the other person and acknowledge what they are saying, without judgement or criticism, these hormones will be released into their system and will positively affect their brain functioning.”

This means they are more likely to trust you and reveal more about what is important to them. Furthermore, they are more likely to listen with a positive frame of mind to what you are saying.

Trust that by improving the way you listen you will help the other person say what they need to say and thus improve the quality of your conversations.

For more tips on how you can improve your listening skills and how you react to others, pick up a copy of our book here!