With the nights drawing in and the weather changing, you may feel like you need a pick-me-up. We can take a natural approach to boosting our happy hormones. There are plenty of ways to naturally elevate your mood and improve your overall wellbeing without having to rely on sugary snacks or caffeine. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best natural hormone boosters.
The feel-good hormones in your brain, like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, can be released through various activities, exercise, and even the food you eat. These hormones can give you a boost in mood and energy, and can be triggered naturally. Here’s what you should know about these happy hormones and how to get your levels up without any extra help.
Different Types of Happy Hormones
Before discussing how to boost them, it helps to know exactly what feel-good chemicals you are focusing on. Here are some of the most common ones to consider:
Serotonin – affects our mood and emotions. It’s one of the happy hormones related to reducing stress and anxiety. If you struggle with insomnia or high levels of anxiety, then activities like exercise and being outdoors in sunlight can help boost your serotonin.
Dopamine – is the happiness hormone. Whenever you experience something that brings you joy or pleasure, chances are it’s because dopamine has been released. Think of it like a reward system for all the fun stuff in life – good food, a good movie, sex – anything that connects to the reward system in your brain.
Endorphins – are our natural pain relievers. They give you a burst of energy and happy feelings. Exercising releases this hormone and is a great way to get your endorphin fix.
Get Enough Exercise
Naturally, moving your body and getting exercise is going to be a great way to get those happy hormones naturally. This of course includes endorphins, but it can release dopamine and serotonin as well. The great thing is that it doesn’t have to be any specific type of exercise. While it is often referred to as the “runner’s high”, you don’t have to go running just to release endorphins. Move your body in any way that you find enjoyable, from taking a dance class to going on a hike.
Meditate
If you’re looking to de-stress, find more gratitude, and set some intentions, then meditation is the answer. It’s a great way to clear your head and recharge your energy, plus it releases serotonin. Start with short sessions and build them up as you feel your way into it. There are many ways to meditate so try a few and find the one that works best for you and your own lifestyle.
Participate in Activities You Love
Doing things that bring you joy can really help boost those happy hormones. Shopping, cooking, socialising with friends, watching something funny on TV, getting creative or artistic, playing with the dog – there are so many ways to get those feel-good chemicals flowing.
There are lots of natural ways to boost your happy hormones and elevate your mood. From exercising to meditating to just doing something for the joy of it, there is something for everyone. Give one or more of these natural hormone boosters a try and see if it makes a difference in your mood and overall wellbeing.