Many of us can probably recall at least one or two stories our parents, grandparents, or even a friend told us that we either retell to others or tell ourselves when we need a laugh or something to carry us through hard times. That is because that silly story your grandparent or friend told you increases human connection and improves mental health. When human beings tell their stories, it has been scientifically proven to naturally put them in a good mood!
A study conducted by PNAS concluded, “We found that, compared with an active control condition, one storytelling session with hospitalized children leads to an increase in oxytocin, a reduction in cortisol and pain, and positive emotional shifts during a free-association task.
These multimodal findings support evolutionary theories of storytelling and demonstrate its physiological and psychological effects under natural stress conditions.” For those of you asking what Oxytocin is, Oxytocin is a hormone vital to human beings’ well-being, and it is released by hugging, physical touch, and now storytelling. A study conducted by The Journal of Neuroscience found that “Oxytocin Enhances…Emotional Empathy in Humans”. So, before we dread the next family gathering due to the endless stories of our parent’s youth or the tale filled with constant exaggerations told by our friends, we should remember what that story could do for our emotional and physical well-being if we just gave it a chance.