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Study reveals chocolate is the answer to increasing workplace productivity!

Oxytocin is known as the ‘love hormone’ because it’s produced when people are in a happy relationship. It’s anti-anxiety and stress-reducing effects have also been linked to increased productivity and efficiency in the workplace.

Based on this, Bloom & Wild worked with London Metropolitan University to conduct an experiment to find out if receiving gifts can induce stress reducing benefits at a chemical level. Oxytocin is a hormone found in humans that is closely associated with social bonding and reproduction.

It’s usually more prevalent amongst individuals who are in a happy, loving relationship and plays a major role in the formation of strong bonds between couples, especially during the initial months of their relationship.

Linking this to productivity, a study conducted by the Social Market Foundation proved that employees who were happy reported a 12% increase in productivity alone – hence Bloom & Wild partnered with scientists at London Metropolitan University to conduct an experiment to prove if receiving gifts can induce stress reducing benefits, hence boosting employee efficiency and morale at a chemical level.

They found that receiving gifts such as flowers or chocolate caused levels of oxytocin to rise significantly in the subjects, proving that all employers need to do to increase employee productivity is buy them a little thank you gift for all their hard work!

Methodology: The flower-delivery specialists enlisted help of London Metropolitan University’s Dr Una Fairbrother (Head of Biosciences), Dr Sheelaugh Heugh (Head of Student Experience and Academic Outcomes) and PHD Student Elliot Kidd to facilitate the experiment and analyse the results. To carry out the experiment, they split 30 volunteers into three groups to receive a gift of flowers, chocolate or water.

They took saliva samples before the gift arrived, 10 minutes after delivery, and finally 40 minutes after receiving the gift.After the gifting, the saliva samples were tested to detect any changes in hormone levels, including those that are normally associated with love.Higher levels of oxytocin were detected amongst those receiving chocolates and flowers, while those gifted with water saw the least change.

Results revealed that you don’t have to be part of a couple this Valentine’s Day to feel the same compassionate love that a relationship brings – you just need someone to surprise you with a little gift!

Chocolate had the biggest impact when it came to inducing feelings of love. Recipients of the sugary treat showed levels of oxytocin increase by 73.36 pg/ml, while those who received flowers were just behind with an increase of 61.89pg/ml. Water ranked last, with a 50.7 pg/ml increase.  As different individuals have varying levels of oxytocin, the fairest way to compare the levels was to sample them at three instances during the experiment, to show the total increase.

Dr Una Fairbrother, Head of Biosciences at London Metropolitan University said:

“Participants in the study were selected randomly (only their age, gender, and date of birth was recorded), in order to maintain anonymity in compliance with data protection and the Human Tissue Authority.” 

“Interestingly, the results show that there was a significant increase in oxytocin after receipt of any gift. Furthermore, within this small group, the effect of the more desirable gifts, such as chocolate and flowers, was more pronounced, with chocolate being marginally on top. This is not surprising since chocolate induces feelings of wellbeing, including an oxytocin response when eaten, thus anticipation is likely to provoke a similar (if smaller) response.”


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