Ever notice how good you feel after exercising?
My blood pressure rose, my fists clenched, and my jaw tightened.
I was getting ready to snap back at him but decided my workout was more important.
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I could fight with him afterward.
All that anger I felt earlier?
Did those happy hormones actually make me feel better and prevent a potentially explosive fight with my husband?
What Are Happy Hormones?
Thesehormoneswork together to create a balanced emotional state, contributing to overall mental and physical health.
Although we call them happy hormones, some are also neurotransmitters.
Hormones vs. Neurotransmitters: What’s the Difference?
Hormones are produced byendocrine glands, released into the bloodstream, and travel to distant organs or tissues.
They regulate long-term processes like growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
Some common hormones include insulin, cortisol, and estrogen.
Neurotransmittersare produced by nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain and nervous system.
They are released into synapses and affect communication within the nervous system.
Neurotransmitters work quickly to facilitate immediate responses like mood changes, muscle movements, and sensory processing.
Examples of neurotransmitters include dopamine, epinephrine, and serotonin.
There is some overlap between hormones and neurotransmitters.
For instance, dopamine and serotonin can act as neurotransmitters and hormones depending on where they are released.
Serotonin
Thompson says that serotonin helps with feelings of calm and happiness.
It stabilizes mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness.
It also regulates sleep, digestion, and appetite.
Low levels of serotonin are often linked to depression and anxiety.
Dopamine
Dopamineis often called the reward hormone, says Thompson.
Dopamine is linked to pleasure, motivation, and reward-seeking behavior.
Its released when you achieve something, experience a pleasurable activity, or even anticipate a reward.
Endorphins
Thompson says endorphins act as our bodys natural painkillers.
They are released during activities like exercise or laughter.
They help reduce pain perception and boost feelings of euphoria, often referred to as the runners high.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is also known as the love hormone, says Thompson.
Oxytocin is released during social bonding activities such as hugging, physical touch, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
It promotes feelings of trust, connection, and intimacy in relationships.
Lifestyle Changes
Thompson says adopting a few lifestyle changes can significantly increase your happy hormone levels.
Mindfulness practices like meditation or deep breathing reduce stress hormones while increasing dopamine and oxytocin, Thompson says.
These chemicals are produced and require certain building blocks to maintain.
Many times, we do not realize that nutrition plays such a vital role in how happy we feel.
Eating a diet rich in vitamin B6 and vitamin C can also produce dopamine in the body.
Certain foods like citrus fruits, dark green leafy vegetables, and beans maximize these nutrients.
Nutrients like magnesium, niacin, and zinc are crucial for the synthesis of serotonin.
These nutrients can be found in poultry, grains, seeds, and nuts.
Increasing these types of foods can assist in optimal serotonin levels.
High-intensity exercisecan release endorphins but only if your body is rich in nutrients, Puttuck says.
She adds that phenylalanine and vitamin C are the most important nutrients for the production of endorphins.
Our overall feelings of happiness and well-being are linked to nutrition and nutritional quality.
Never overlook your nutrition and make it your foundation for health.
Its important to exercise caution when purchasing any supplement.
c’mon consult with your medical doctor before taking any supplements.
They can test your hormone levels to see if something more serious is happening and provide appropriate treatment.
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