This week, during the question and answer section at the end of my presentation, someone asked me to share some tips on how to feel good. The request made me think of a few of things:
This made me think that maybe presenting a topic in the form of tips might be easier for people to read and implement. So here goes. I am starting the How to Feel Good series. I hope you can make good use of it.
How to Feel Good? Trigger Your Endorphins
Endorphins are chemicals formed in the body, which produce a “feel good” effect. The word Endorphin is made up of the words Endogenous and Morphine, which combined mean, “a morphine-like substance originating from within the body”.
The presence of these substances blocks transmitters that produce pain. That means that producing endorphins is like taking Morphine, but naturally – always in the right dosage and at the right speed.
Endorphins have many advantages:
- Manage and relieve pain.
- Manage and reduce anxiety and stress.
- Increase hope and motivation.
- Increase focus and concentration.
- Best anti-depressant solution.
- Better sleep.
- Decrease muscle tension.
- Appetite suppressor.
- Better metabolism.
- Improves the immune system.
- Releases toxins from your body.
- Better relationships.
- Encourages physical movements.
- Increase feelings of happiness.
I like to call endorphins your “feel good hormones”. Here are several ways you can increase their levels in your body.
Move – The more you move the more of it you have. Walk, dance, run, swim. The effect of it will last for several of hours.
Have a massage – If you cannot move much, or would rather your body moves without you, get a massage or massage parts of your body.
Have sex – Sex produces plenty of this “feel good” hormone. The more the better.
Laugh – Laughter creates endorphins. If you do not have any reason to laugh, try our laughter therapy tips.
Eat Chilli – If you do not like it, try adding in a tiny bit at a time.
Eat dark chocolate – Be reasonable with this one. Dark chocolate also contains lots of caffeine so avoid eating it before bedtime.
Mediate – Calming your mind is another way of letting the endorphins do their job. Give them space and time to work.
Day dream – Imagine yourself in a happy situation. Imagining has the same impact on the body as it does if you are in the situation itself. Dedicate time to imagining good things in your future.
Be creative – Being involved in any form of art that requires creativity, like dance, drawing, beading, sculpting and cooking triggers this hormone easily.
A special note: if you have kids, make sure you help them find opportunities to trigger their endorphins as much as possible too. Share these tips on how to feel good with them and watch them grow happier.
Be happy,
Ronit
This post is part of the series How to Feel Good:
- How to Feel Good: Trigger Your “Feel Good” Hormone
- How to Feel Good: Smiling
- How to Feel Good: Take Time Off
- How to Feel Good: Get Enough Sleep
