Who doesn’t want to be happier? Finding ways to activate your “happy hormones” can improve your mood and overall health. Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins (DOSE) are both hormones and neurotransmitters that contribute to feelings of happiness, well-being and motivation.
Endorphins: The Brain’s Natural Pain Reliever
Endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller, also releases stress and creates feelings of well-being. We release endorphins when we exercise, laugh, fall in love, have sex, and even eat a delicious meal.
Feeling?
- anxiety
- depression
- aches & pains
- impulsive
How to Release Endorphins
“You can increase your body’s endorphin release by engaging in these activities:
- Exercise. A moderately intense pace, whether you’re walking fast or doing another form of aerobic activity, seems to be best for releasing endorphins.
- Acupuncture. An effective way to release endorphin is with pressure points. Placing fine needles into the skin at specific points around the body triggers the release of endorphins.
- Meditation. Breathing deeply and focusing your brain calms your mind and eases pain.
- Sex. These hormones are the reason for that blissful feeling many of us get after having sex. Experts believe that endorphins promote the release of other hormones that are involved in feelings of love.
- Playing music. When you sing, dance, or bang on a drum, you do more than entertain others. You also release a rush of endorphins, which research suggests might increase tolerance to pain.
- Laughter. A good belly laugh can do wonders for your state of mind. Along with releasing endorphins, laughter alters levels of serotonin and dopamine.
- Ultraviolet light. It’s no wonder that some people feel happy when they spend time outdoors in the sun. Ultraviolet light stimulates the release of beta-endorphins in the skin.”
