“It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, and it’s a new life for me / And I’m feeling good, I’m feeling good.” – Michael Bublé
Show of hands … who doesn’t want to feel good … no one? Okay, then let’s discuss.
We all aspire to be our best selves with the dawn of each new day. Although there is no one-size-fits-all remedy for that, there are many ways to ensure that we at least give ourselves a head start. In this column we regularly address nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and other topics which can make huge differences in our lives if we just give these topics the attention they deserve.
Let’s explore “endorphins” today.
If you are not familiar with that word, let’s start there. Endorphins are the body’s natural pain relievers and mood boosters, to put it simply. Some people may be more acquainted with the hormone dopamine. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that help you cope with pain and stress; dopamine is a mood- and motivation-boosting neurotransmitter that’s involved in the reward circuit in your brain. High endorphin levels can boost dopamine production. If your body cannot produce and release enough endorphins, you may develop issues which I will not address in this column, as those are possibilities you should discuss with your licensed health professional.
Let’s talk about how you can increase your body’s endorphin release by engaging in certain activities.1
- One very prominent and important way to achieve our goal is – news flash – exercise! A moderately intense pace seems to do the job.
- Acupuncture uses pressure points by placing fine needles into the skin at specific points around the body which trigger the release of endorphins.
- And, sex can also account for the release of endorphins – so says Harvard!
- Meditation allows you to focus your brain and along with deep breathing calms your mind and eases pain.
- Music! Whether you sing, dance, or play an instrument you release a rush of endorphins.
- Laughter not only releases endorphins it alters levels of serotonin and dopamine.
- Lastly, ultraviolet light stimulates the release of beta-endorphins in the skin, so enjoy (within reason) the longer days ahead and include sunscreen for those long days in the sun.
As I tune in to some favorite TV shows and am assaulted with the barrage of election ads which will soon overpower us, I am reminded that I may need some added endorphin release this election year! Remember that those endorphins can assist you in handling pain issues and help you to manage stress in your life. Engage in some of the activities above (and anecdotally I understand chocolate may be included in that list) and feel good!
Sharon McMahon, CNWC
The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace advice of your personal physician or licensed health professional. Please consult your physician for any issues you may have related to nutrition or fitness activity.