Looking to add a little more "love" into your relationship? Try doing a leisure activity together. 

Leisure activities can help release oxytocin, a hormone linked to social and sexual interaction. A study at Baylor University found that couples who played board games together and took an art class together released oxytocin, also known as the "hugging hormone." In fact, the study found that all couples involved in the study released oxytocin, which is quite a finding.

Oxytocin was measure via urine samples before and after the activity. The findings for the amount of oxytocin released by gender and activity were a bit surprising:

1. Men in art class
2. Women playing board games
3. Women in the art class
4. Men playing board games

Apparently, some activities may be more beneficial to males than females, and vice versa.

Another big finding was that couples in a new environment released more oxytocin, which suggests novelty is important in keeping relationships strong. For those coupled up, it's good to try new restaurants, new vacation destinations, new date night ideas...you get the point.

Couples in the art class paid more attention to each other than the instructor and touched each other more so than when playing board games. So, if you're looking to try just one of the activities out, you may want to sign up for an art class!

And it's not just romantic relationships that can benefit from this study. Oxytocin helps with social interaction as well, so doing activities together with family members or friends can help to strengthen those bonds. It's about finding the time and ways to connect meaningfully.