What are endorphins? They’re hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers directing your body to do specific things from controlling your heartbeat or metabolism, to making you feel full or making you feel good. Endorphins are released by both the pituitary gland and central nervous system. They’re important for natural pain management and also trigger a pleasurable feeling, acting as a reward. They are released when you stress your body or are under stress, are injured or even when you’re participating in pleasurable activities. They’re the “feel good” hormones.
The go-to for boosting endorphins is normally exercise.
Move those feet for an endorphin treat! Physical exercise is known as an endorphin booster and the more you exercise the more likely the benefits, but any exercise will do. For the best results, make it of moderate intensity, enough to increase your heart and breathing rate and 30 minutes or longer. Not only will you boost your endorphins, you’ll burn off the hormones of stress and increase circulation, which sends oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. You also improve your self-image, so it offers mental benefits, too.
Certain foods can help you feel better and boost your endorphins.
Chocolates are probably the favorite for increasing endorphins. It’s the cocoa in the chocolate that helps activate the nervous system to produce that pleasant effect. Spicy foods are also endorphin boosters. The body feels the heat from the capsaicin and signals the brain it’s pain, so endorphins are produced to calm that pain. Foods high in Omega 3 can also make you feel happier. While you need both omega 6 and omega 3, it’s important to have a good balance. Too little omega 3 and too much omega 6 can promote aggression or lead to depression.
Keep life interesting.
Challenging yourself to new things that are tough, but doable, boosts the sense of accomplishment and your endorphins. Having more sex can also increase the release of endorphins. Whether it’s a kiss, hug or the full act, it not only increases endorphins, but pheromones as well. Go out and enjoy Mother Nature. It’s calming and can stimulate the creation of endorphins. It’s said that laughter is the best medicine. At least for boosting endorphins it is. Hang out with people who are fun and watch your favorite comedy show together.
- Ginseng can stimulate the nervous system and help people with depression or anxiety. It can cause an increase in energy, as it increases endorphin production.
- If you want even more benefit from exercise, exercise in a group. One study showed that people who worked out in a group, increased their endorphins more than they did when they exercised alone.
- Get adequate sleep. Have a regular sleep schedule with a set time for waking and going to sleep. It helps keep your body in line, improves the quality of sleep and can make it easier to boost your endorphins.
- Practice random acts of kindness. Not only will you make the world a better place when you do this, you’ll feel good, too, since it triggers the creation of endorphins. It doesn’t have to cost anything, either. Saying a kind word to a stranger or giving a compliment make both of you feel better.
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