How to increase the hormone of happiness endorphin?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Judging by the effect of anesthesia and sedation, endorphins can be considered as a protective reaction to negative factors (stress, pain). But endorphins also participate in the creation of positive emotions and feelings, regulating the production of other hormones. This process is interconnected, and if a person learns to see the beautiful in every detail, to enjoy the usual activities, he will become much happier. And all thanks to endorphins.
Endorphins and laughter
On the effect of laughter on the duration of life heard by many, but the fact that it is laughter markedly increases the level of endorphins in the body, know a few. Nevertheless, there are cases when people managed to get rid of intractable diseases with the help of laughter therapy, which confirms the relationship between endorphins and sincere laughter, if we recall that it is the hormone endorphin that stimulates the body's internal forces to fight the disease.
But the question now is not about artificial tortured laughter, which circus clowns use in their performances, not about artificial smiles on the faces of gymnasts and figure skaters, not about the sarcastic smile of employees. The level of endorphins can only enhance a sincere laugh or smile. Is it not because our children look happier than we, their parents, who have already forgotten how to laugh sincerely and enjoy the little things.
A reasonable question may arise: how can you make yourself laugh sincerely? And do not force it. It is important not to focus on negative points. For example, looking at a humorous transmission, one must try to throw away all the hard thoughts and accumulated problems for a while, do not try to analyze what has been said and not find fault with words. It is important to try to catch the obvious and hidden sense of joke, i.e. Understand it and just laugh, and not look for an excuse to criticize the speakers. Distracting from bad thoughts and tuning to a positive wave, we, thus, spur the body to produce more hormones of happiness.
And for a sincere smile does not need a special reason. It is enough to observe playing children or young animals, and a lot of positive emotions, supported by a true smile that is reflected in the eyes of a person, will be provided. Having translated after such training a look at other people and objects, it is possible to remark with surprise that you see them in a completely different light than when the head was immersed in problems and experiences.
And that's not surprising, it's a completely different view of the problem that has tormented you. Incredibly, you start thinking much more clearly and find a way out where you did not notice it before. Is this not seen in the action of endorphins, which make mental activity more productive? And just something you just had to smile at.
By the way, do you know the best way to cheer up in the morning, than smile to yourself in the mirror? If we were so smiling at each other, there would be no shortage of endorphins in anyone.
Hobbies and hormones
What is a hobby? This is an activity that causes a person's increased interest and brings satisfaction. An enthusiastic person experiences a lot of positive emotions and is able to switch his attention to what is close to him, pleasantly. Hobbies make it possible to enjoy not only the result of the activity, but also the process itself.
Being engaged in favorite business and experiencing positive emotions, a person raises the level of endorphins, serotonin, dopamine and other hormones responsible for feeling of joy and satisfaction. It is clear that the hobbies of different people can be different. But once having experienced the pleasure of certain activities, the body will develop hormones of happiness every time a person will do what he likes. Thus, finding a job for himself, a person will feel happier.
The influence of the endorphin hormone is particularly indicative in the example of needlework. Knitting, embroidery, the creation of interesting and necessary things with their own hands bestows what is commonly called the joy of creation. You can buy the item you liked in the store (and this will also contribute to a temporary surge in endorphins), but the joy of its acquisition can not be compared with the feeling that a person experiences by embodying the idea with his own hand. In this feeling, joy and pride, inner peace and pleasure are harmoniously interwoven, therefore it has a longer lasting effect, and, looking at the fruits of their labors, a person will feel the influence of endorphins for a long time.
But the influence of needlework on the development of endorphins has its pitfalls. If a person does not like what he does, the process of creation will not give him pleasure. On the contrary, there may be irritation, which does not contribute to the production of hormones of happiness. It is very important to find exactly the occupation that will be fun, otherwise you can expect the opposite effect.
Endorphins and creativity
Creativity is an amazing process, very actively influencing the development of endorphin, because it allows you to discover yourself and enjoy yourself in self-realization. What is most surprising, even those people who initially do not feel like participating in creative projects, getting involved in work, suddenly begin to experience pleasure.
Creative work stimulates the brain, all processes in it begin to occur at a faster rate, including the development of neurotransmitters. And since creativity is associated with a mass of emotions and feelings (mostly positive), the body begins to perceive it as a long source of joy and pleasure. Eventually, when the project is coming to an end, the participants begin to experience a kind of euphoria similar to that of opiates.
Moreover, creativity is an excellent training for the mind and a way to develop one's abilities. And as an athlete feels the need for regular training, so a creative person can not do without them. Having experienced the joy of the active activity of the mind, the body will constantly urge her. So, there will be new ideas, new projects and additional opportunities to raise the level of endorphins.
By the way, many hobbies and creativity is also a way to earn some money. And do not be shy about it. Money is received by everyone (what can you do, if you can not do without them), and while a person experiences real pleasure, even if he does not think about his feelings. So getting money can also be considered as a way to increase the content of endorphins in the blood, and this opportunity should be used.
Endorphins and Sports
Since we mentioned athletes, it makes sense to draw readers' attention to the fact that people professionally engaged in sports are less prone to depression, less likely to be in a bad mood, but have rather high physical and mental endurance. By chance this is not called, which means that in the body of athletes under the influence of regular training substances that give a positive attitude are developed. At the same time, despite the great physical exertion, these people feel happy and enjoy the lessons. It clearly shows the influence of the endorphin hormone.
But do not think that to raise the level of endorphins in the blood, it is necessary to professionally engage in sports. It's enough to make sport your hobby, doing it as an amateur, or at least once a day to perform a certain set of exercises or to run a circle or two on a sports ground. First you can not notice the special changes in your condition, but with time, classes will start to bring considerable pleasure and there will be a need for them. This suggests that in response to exercise, the body began to intensively produce endorphins, and he has a desire to do it in the future.
Any physical activity, including walking fast pace at a decent distance, riding a bike, fitness, aerobics, are stress for our body. But this is a useful stress, which causes the release into the blood of substances that contribute to the maintenance of body functions: reducing sensitivity to pain and increasing endurance, giving a charge of vivacity and improving mood, i.e. Activating the internal forces of the body. Among these substances, an important role is played by endorphins, which make life much more attractive.
The level of endorphins is also high among people engaged in extreme sports. The risk contributes to the release of not only adrenaline into the blood, but also endorphins in response to no possible danger to the body and the need to replenish the forces. Skydiving, riding a car, diving and even many attractions in the form of roller coasters can defeat bad mood and depression no worse than any antidepressant. And the level of endorphins in the blood will increase at times.
While playing sports it is important to remember that excessive physical exertion will produce the opposite effect. This will not be a pleasant fatigue, but a decline in strength as a result of work for wear. Preference should be given to game sports, swimming, running, but not power exercises. It is important that the classes are fun, otherwise it's worth changing your preferences.
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Nature and Hormones of Happiness
There is no possibility to go in for sports? Nothing wrong. Active production of endorphins is observed at any physical load. Work in the garden and in the garden, active activities for caring for animals, cleaning the house, etc. Contribute to the production of the endorphin hormone no less than sports. Especially useful work in the fresh air, on the ground, in nature, after which, along with fatigue of muscles, you feel some inner recovery, clarity of thoughts and euphoria from the possibility of rest.
But again, to obtain a surge of endorphins, it is not necessary to work in nature. Outdoor recreation aside from problems absorbed by people and their own worries perfectly helps to fill the lack of endorphins. The very communication with nature gives peace, bordering on euphoria. And if you manage to watch animals, birds, fish in the pond, you get such a charge of positive emotions, which can only compare with viewing humorous programs.
Especially high level of endorphins can be observed in those people who prefer active recreation in nature together with children.
Entertainment and mood
Let's remember, what else helps to cheer up, except watching humorous programs? Yes, any entertainment that a person likes or leads to the fulfillment of desires. It can be going to the movies or circus, watching cartoons, visiting theaters and museums. The effect will be much better if all this is done not alone, but with friends.
Yes, there to say, a large company of old friends often does not require additional entertainment, enough noisy, fun communication and funny childhood or youthful memories. Often, even there is no need to plan such an event, an unexpected meeting of friends has no less effect. And entertainment, as a way to increase the level of endorphins, the company will always find, if necessary.
There is no possibility to meet more often with friends? A good way to provoke the release of the hormone endorphin alone is to watch comedies and listen to music. Do not give preference to gloomy works. It's better to listen to classics, old children's songs, liked tracks from movies - something that will give pleasure, and not cause anxiety and feelings of despair. A tangible and rapid effect is given by musical works, listening to which arouses awe and such an inner uplift.
As for films where one has to worry about heroes, they also increase the concentration of endorphins. Their action is akin to extreme entertainment, but a little weaker.
There is another interesting method that allows you not to suffer from a lack of endorphins. And in this way are dances that combine the power of movement, the possibility of self-expression and a good mood. This is not about professional pursuits, although if there is a desire and ability, then why not? But we are now talking about the possibility through the movement to express their feelings, which helps to relieve the burden of negative thoughts. You can dance in specialized institutions, disco clubs, at home in proud solitude or with friends, in nature - yes anywhere, if there is such a desire.
Well, those who did not help our advice, we can offer a variant with shopping. We are now talking not about routine business and buying a standard set of products, but about rare at your table delicacies, nice new clothes, desired decorations and other small things that are not bought so often. Such purchases are more fun.
If you think that you personally do not need anything, make a pleasant surprise to the failure of relatives. It is no less pleasant to give presents than to receive them from others. Already the process of choosing a gift and anticipation of reaction to it contributes to the turbulent release of endorphins.
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Rest and hormones
Probably, many noted what an extraordinary pleasure you experience, stretched out on the couch after a hard day's work, relaxing all the muscles of the body. It turns out that the development of endorphins is facilitated not only by physical activity, but also by correct, valuable rest.
It's not for nothing that scientists came to the conclusion that endorphins are naturally produced during a good sleep. After resting during the night, we experience a surge of strength in the morning, to which the "hand" and endorphins were attached. Morning rise from the bed stimulates the release of endorphins into the bloodstream, so a well rested person feels vivacity, clarity of mind, is able to solve problems that millet lacked strength from the evening. No wonder they say: the morning is wiser than the evening.
Sleep stimulates the production of endorphins, but this does not mean that you need to sleep constantly to be happy. Relax and relax also helps in nature. But you can try to deceive your body and make it produce hormones endorphins when we want it, applying meditation practices, doing yoga, using a relaxing massage. Ability to relax is an important quality that promotes a positive outlook on life, and this must be learned.
Happiness from the sun
There is no secret that in sunny weather the mood of people is also mostly sunny. And since this is observed day by day in different parts of the globe, it is not necessary to talk about randomness. It turns out that for the production of hormones of joy and happiness in the body is responsible for vitamin D, and the main source of this rare vitamin is the sun's rays.
Do not hurry up the windows in sunny weather, let the sun do its thing and give you a good mood. Better yet, give yourself a walk in the street, go to the beach where you can and buy, sunbathe and play ball, which equally effectively will promote the production of the hormone endorphin.
It is clear that with high activity of sunlight, you have to be careful not to hurt yourself. But vitamin D is produced in the body not only when a person is in the sun. A fine option is a penumbra. And even if a person can not be in the sun, rest in the shade in the fresh air will help to fill the lack of endorphins and strengthen their health.
Unfortunately, the sun in the sky can not be seen all year round. But the absence of the sun is not the reason to be discouraged. Taking vitamin D in the form of pharmaceuticals can support the synthesis of hormones of joy at a high level. Read also about other medicines that increase the level of endorphins.
The use of new experiences
Any new impressions, whether they are good or bad, find a response in our soul and cause a lot of different emotions. Try to diversify your life, look for new positive emotions, and immediately notice how the attitude towards it changes for the better, how interest appears, the attitude towards people becomes better.
Where can I get new impressions? Most new and interesting can be seen while traveling. New countries and cities, other customs and culture give a good shake to the body a large amount of interesting information, forcing the brain to work actively and stimulating it to produce hormones responsible for positive emotions.
It is clear that traveling around countries and continents is not always possible, but it is not necessary. Are you sure that you know your native city or village well, visited all its interesting places, saw absolutely all the sights? And in the next city you also know all the roads, alleys and secluded places? In fact, it turns out that we have not seen half of what our birthmarks can tell us. Is not it time to get to know them better?
The source of new impressions can be considered the premiere of films, exhibitions, theater productions, new books, popular science programs. New knowledge and impressions are capable of giving a change of activity. Does someone forbid trying in different sports and creativity, looking for his calling in different fields?
News on TV can also be considered a source of new information and impressions, but recently they have become a source of negativity, which does not contribute to raising the level of the hormone endorphin. Those people who do not often pamper themselves with watching the news, look happier than those to whom the media are daily dumping the entire burden of the problems of our country and the world.
Posture and joy in life
Probably, each of us had to notice that gloomy people who do not see joy in life and rarely smile tend to stoop, lower their head and shoulders low, as if their entire body is bent under the weight of life's hardships and problems. But how many wondered what was the cause, and what was the consequence.
Scientists believe that it is precisely the wrong posture, the habit of hunching and the wrong holding of the head that leads to the fact that the endorphin accumulating in the body does not rush to carry the blood flow through the body. And all because of the banal circulatory disturbance.
Over time, the lack of endorphins begins to affect the mood and well-being of a person, so he becomes gloomy and unhappy, nothing pleases him, and with time the need to find the sources of this joy disappears.
Straightening his back and raising his head, a person facilitates the movement of blood through the vessels, while active movement promotes the spread of hormones of happiness and better mood. It is clear that if a person has been a "buka" for a long time, he will have to re-educate his body and stimulate him to seek happiness and joy. But it's worth it. Life is really beautiful, if you learn to see the beautiful even where others do not see it.
Sex, love and endorphins
It is possible to argue about the influence of sex on the development of hormones of joy, but will you go against the fact that sexual intercourse between two loving people brings pleasure to both ineffable words, and orgasm becomes the peak of sexual intercourse - the highest degree of pleasure is akin to euphoria. Does this not speak in favor of the fact that during sex there is an active release of endorphins into the blood?
Another thing, if sexual contact meant violence. Coercion to sex does not cause a person to have a tide of tender feelings, and no endorphins can be said. So it's not just about sex, but about what precedes it: desire, passion, attraction, liking, love. The greatest amount of endorphins is released into the blood of people who are attracted to each other, supported by feelings. In this case, sex can be considered as a love affair, and the influence of endorphins is felt by partners, both during closeness and for some time after it. If sex for partners is only a way to enjoy without commitment, the endorphins end up with an orgasm.
It must be said that the very state of being in love can stimulate the constant synthesis of the hormone endorphin even without sexual intimacy. Thoughts on the subject of worship, dreams of the future, not to mention touch, perfectly spur the development of various hormones of joy. So fall in love with your health.
Speaking about true love, which is considered a deeper manifestation of feelings, it is necessary to understand that in it there is an element of youthful love, that is why the production of endorphins does not cease, they simply enter the blood in smaller quantities. But their level will be more stable, because a loving person is happy in everything and positively looks at life. At least when his main source of joy is a loved one is next door.
Joy of dreams
Probably, there is no man in the world who would never dream of anything. After all, dreams are so beautiful. They allow us to mentally visit places where we have never been before, to experience what we do not yet know, to get what we want most in the world. And it is also an incentive to turn your desires into reality, from which a person gets even more pleasure. That is, if there is a certain dream, then there must be a goal for its implementation.
It must be understood that unfulfilled desires, in the end, cease to bring joy only from the dream of their implementation, causing the opposite feelings: irritation, anger, dissatisfaction, insecurity in their abilities. It is not necessary to set unattainable goals. It is better to go to your dream gradually, step by step making new victories, than to be disappointed, not reaching the goal immediately.
But on the other hand, setting yourself too light goals, you can hardly feel the strong joy of achieving them. There is such a thing as the joy of overcoming, i.e. A person can experience true joy if achievement of the goal is not easy for him. Only in this case it is necessary to talk about the large release of the hormone endorphin into the blood, which allows you to feel happy for a long time, be proud of yourself, feel confident in your abilities.
And yet we will return to dreams. Every man has his own dreams. Someone experiences the joy of buying the coveted thing (note shopping improves mood), and the other has a dream to become president and he revels in the mental contemplation of himself in this position. Whatever it was, but they both get their dose of endorphins. But can it be compared in its power with the energy that a woman who dreams of a child and knows about the coming pregnancy ?!
Active development of endorphins in the body of a pregnant woman occurs not only at the moment of receiving pleasant news, but when the expectant mother, stroking her growing tummy, talks to the baby, sings songs to him, dreams about what her child will be like, how she will love him and take care. It must be said that during pregnancy, the low level of endorphins will be the exception to the rule. Therefore, within 7-9 months a woman does not have to worry about additional sources of positive emotions.
Thinking happy
Whatever a person does, if he does not learn to control his thinking, it will be very difficult for him to become happy. The development of endorphins causes positive thoughts. But life can not be a continuous holiday. Sometimes it does not make us happy surprises at all, and we need to learn not to get accustomed to problems, but to try to see their positive aspects.
The people have such a wise saying: there would be no happiness, but misfortune helped. Most often it happens. What seems to us a problem, in fact, turns out to be a solution to another, no less important problem. You just need to understand this and accept it.
It is important to understand that negative thoughts never helped to make an important decision or cope with the disaster. So you need to drive them away, switching attention to what causes the opposite emotions, in other words, to think about the good. And in fact it is much more in life.
Thoughts about our children, about those who need us, caring for our smaller brothers - that's what we need to keep our thoughts. We need to make plans and implement them. All this helps to stimulate the production of hormones of endorphins, and they will take care of your good mood.
To adjust to the positive you need to learn, and this will help:
- (things like watching paintings with a picture of nature that you can hang in the house, or reading the books of your favorite author)
- some types of flavors (essential oils for vanilla, lavender, rosemary, tea tree, peppermint are especially useful for improving the mood), which give the soul peace and tranquility, reduce anxiety,
- practice meditation
The whole truth about nutrition and the development of happy hormones
It would seem, what nonsense, and here the hormones of happiness to what and how we eat. In fact, the relationship between nutrition and hormone production exists, and this allows us to correct the mood situation with the help of certain products.
Remember what exactly comes to your mind from eating after the stress experienced? Many will say something sweet, and others will specify - chocolate. And this is not accidental. Our body is a complex and at the same time intelligent mechanism that knows how to self-repair and knows how to do it. It is only necessary to listen more often to his signals.
And the truth is, the choice of chocolate is not meaningless. It is this sweet favorite, which helps us to deal with stresses, since it contributes to the development of endorphins no less than the stresses themselves. To make it easier for the soul, and the colors around the dark and gloomy again become bright and colorful, you do not need to consume chocolate with kilograms (this is even harmful). It is not the quantity of chocolate that is eaten here that is important, but the process of eating it. Usually, a couple of small pieces of a well-known delicacy are enough to be put in one's mouth one by one and do not rush to swallow, but to savor the favorite taste, pressing it to the sky and thus making it melt. Together with the chocolate will melt and sad thoughts. But chocolate is better to take dark with a high content of cocoa.
Well, now from the sweet we'll move on to the sharp one. It is believed that the hormone endorphin is released more actively when using chili peppers and other acute varieties of this vegetable. They all contain a specific substance - capsaicin, which has an irritating effect on the sensory nerve receptors. The brain receives from them a signal about "danger" and responds with increased production of endorphins. It turns out that lovers of spicy dishes do not threaten the lack of endorphins. However, this way of obtaining happiness and pleasure does not suit those who have inflammatory and ulcerative gastrointestinal diseases.
As for herbs and plants, scientists from the East recommend to include in their diet ginseng, which is called the root of life. The ability of this plant to relieve physical fatigue and nervous tension, restore strength, improve mental activity, cure many diseases has prompted the idea that ginseng shows such healing properties precisely by stimulating the production of endorphins. After all, all of the above is peculiar to these happy hormones.
But again, it is important not only what we eat, but how we do it, how to serve the dish. To promote the production of the hormone endorphin, food should bring pleasure, i.e. It should not only be tasty, but also beautifully served. And that is not all. If the food is swallowed on the run, it is unlikely that there will be positive changes in the body. Food should be savored slowly, carefully chewing every bit and thinking at this moment about the taste and attractiveness of the dish, and not about the pressing problems. Only then will the body be able to tie the process of eating with pleasure and will want to receive this pleasure again and again.
By the way, as for the attractiveness of dishes and table setting. The process of decorating a dish and placing this beauty on a table can be called creativity, and how any creativity it will contribute to the synthesis of endorphins. And the pleasure from the result will cause the release of endorphins into the blood. Now the care of your mood will be the task of hormones of joy, and they know their work.