2024-03-16 17:45:00
The modern world has become very complicated. Stress, anxiety and depression are increasingly common threats that we must face. Therefore, the search for happiness and well-being has become a priority for many. And many others seem to have answers. Get up early, have a super-productive routine, achieve professional success, be loved. There are many options that are presented as the holy grail of happiness. But perhaps being happy is much simpler than all this. The key may be in something so small that we cannot see it with our eyes. We are talking regarding endorphin, the so-called happiness hormone.
What is endorphin and what is it for?
Endorphins are chemicals produced by the nervous system to transmit signals between nerve cells. That is to sayis a type of neurotransmitter, a hormone. Popularly, it has been called the hormone of happiness, since it is known for generating a feeling of pleasure and well-being, as a parallel effect to its analgesic capacity.
Endorphins are usually released in response to certain stimuli.. Exercising, laughing, having sex, eating spicy food, among others, are some triggers for the release of this hormone. When this neurotransmitter reaches its destination, the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, it blocks any pain signal and generates a feeling of tranquility, euphoria and well-being.
In addition to relieving pain and providing a sense of emotional well-being, Endorphins have a positive effect on mood regulation. There are also studies that suggest that this hormone can have positive effects on immune function, so it can help the body fight diseases.
Dopamine and endorphin, are they the same?
Both have received the name “happiness hormone”, but they are not the same. There are several fundamental differences between these two hormones, both in the way they affect our body and in what activates them.
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To begin with, endorphin has a direct relationship with pain relief. This is its main function, so the feeling of pleasure and well-being is more of a side effect. On the other hand, Dopamine is mainly related to pleasure, motivation and reward. It is released in response to rewarding situations and is a key element in the search for pleasure and our ability to make decisions.
Therefore, having an adequate amount of dopamine in the body will help us feel satisfied, reducing feelings such as sadness or apathy. Insteadendorphin helps us regulate our mood by calming our emotionsso it favors the reduction of stress and anxiety.
Its release is also triggered by different stimuli. While dopamine reacts to rewarding stimuli, endorphins appear in response to stress and pain.
What can you do to release endorphins?
Now that you know how endorphins work, it’s time to review some practices that can help you release this happiness hormone to change your mood.
Do physical exercise
The first practice to release endorphins, and perhaps the most effective, is to exercise. aerobic sport (swimming, running, cycling) triggers the release of endorphins in the brain.
While we exercise, the body experiences an increase in the production of this hormone to relieve physical pain that occurs, generating a feeling of euphoria that many know as “the runner’s high.”
Although you don’t have to choose the running if it’s not your thing. All you have to do is a power walk or short exercise session to stimulate the release of this hormone and improve your mood.
Laugh as much as you can
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They say that laughter is the language of the soul, and it must be so, because This is one of the most powerful ways to release endorphins.. When we laugh, our brain generates endorphins and many other neurotransmitters that give us feelings of pleasure and well-being.
And how to laugh more in your daily life? Taking life with humor, surrounding yourself with those friends with whom your belly hurts from laughing so much and enjoying comedy whenever you can. A small dose of daily laughter can generate a big change in your life.
Spicier please
If you are not a spicy lover, this tip is not for you. Because it has been shown that Spicy foods trigger a powerful release of endorphins in the brain.
When consuming this type of food, our body experiences a sensation of pain (more or less intense), which our body seeks to counteract with endorphins.
The power of cocoa
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As with spicy foods, Chocolate can also help us produce endorphins. Hence, on those days of depression, the body asks for cocoa, no matter what. Of course, it is not advisable to abuse chocolate, but in the right amount it can be a good practice to keep our mood in balance thanks to the power of endorphins.
We owe this unique capacity of pure cocoa (dark chocolate) to two of its main compounds, phenylethylamine and theobrominewhich are capable of stimulating the release of endorphins in the brain.
daily meditation
Concentration, meditation and cultivating mindfulness They are essential activities to reduce stress and anxiety. And, in addition, they help produce endorphins in the body. They are all advantages.
If you practice meditation regularly, you will end up training your brain to release endorphins more effectively. This will significantly improve your long-term emotional and mental well-being.
A relaxing massage
Massages also help stimulate the release of endorphins., promoting the feeling of pleasure and general well-being. That point of pain produced by pressure and physical contact during the massage stimulates the pleasure receptors in the skin. This process, in turn, triggers the release of endorphins in the brain, helping to relieve stress and muscle tension.
The magic of music
Maybe you didn’t know it, but music can be really powerful if you know how to choose it well. By listening to a song you enjoy, your body can release endorphins in the brain, immediately generating a feeling of well-being and happiness.
A good trick that you can put into practice in your daily life, therefore, is listen to music you like whenever you can. To exercise, to clean the house, to work, or simply to enjoy the pleasure of listening to it.
Practice gratitude
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Giving thanks is a very powerful act, it has been proven. Not only does it help you be more positive and aware of the gifts life has given you, but it can trigger the release of endorphins.
Spend a few minutes every day focusing on everything positive in your life, giving thanks for what you have, and you will experience a considerable increase in endorphin levels and other neurotransmitters related to happiness.
Hug the people you love
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Physical contact can be one of the most powerful methods to produce and release endorphins in the body. Giving a hug, caressing or simply holding the hand of the person you love can cause the brain to release this incredible hormone that is responsible for making you feel calm, happy and fulfilled.
Try some yoga
If you haven’t tried yoga yet, this is the perfect excuse to do so. This practice mix physical exercise with conscious breathing or meditationtwo of the points on this list of things that help you release endorphins.
By combining them, you will be able to increase the production of endorphins in the body. During a yoga session, this hormone will help you reach a state of relaxation, reducing stress and making it easier for you to feel at peace with yourself.
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