If you're feeling a bit down and out, especially with the changing weather, you're not alone. It can be hard to keep a positive mood when we go through change, especially as our bodies need time to adjust. But, to spend less time feeling under the weather and more time feeling fantastic, there are many ways you can assist this adjustment period, the most powerful being activating your endorphins.
Though these chemicals work well on their own, we have the power to stimulate our endorphins and promote positivity throughout our day. When properly activated, they can boost our positive emotions. But they will also work to keep any negative ones at bay.
And trust us when we say, activating them isn't very hard at all! There are some simple things you can do in your daily life that can help us feel more positive and these tasks usually only take a few minutes out of our regular schedule.
The most effective ones include:
Stopping to smell the roses
Though we usually use this quote to tell someone to slow down and enjoy what's right in front of them, the meaning is far deeper. There are several oils and terpenes available on the market that can help us achieve an inner state of calm. The entire industry of aromatherapy revolves around the therapeutic use of smells emitted by essential plant oils to help people relax and feel more positive in their day-to-day chores.
Now, this doesn't mean that stopping and sniffing every flower you walk past will give you good health. Some flowers don't incorporate any healing benefits at all! Some of the ones you should be smelling include:
- Roses
- Vanilla
- Lavender
- Jasmine
These florals have proven to help the nerve cells release endorphins, which reduce anxiety, improve sleep and increase quality of life. For example, vanilla has been used since the 17th century to reduce headaches and relieve nausea.
Our Vanilla Nutritional Latte was developed with this in mind. It is the perfect sweet, sugar-free drink to help soothe the soul, restore balance to the body and promote relaxation.
Get some more chocolate into your diet
Did you know that Cacao contains mood-boosting ingredients that stimulate the endorphins? When consumed, chocolate has the power to activate more of the brain than a passionate kiss!
Plus, it has uncountable health benefits. Dark chocolate, in particular, is known to help protect the body against strokes and heart attacks thanks to its abundance of flavanols which work to reduce inflammation and blood pressure.
Some studies have shown that eating chocolate in moderation can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 39%.
Our believed Nutritional Cacao Latte includes these great compounds and tastes fantastic, even though it has NO SUGAR. It is the perfect guilt-free chocolate fix for someone craving this sweet indulgence.
Get those heart muscles working
Have you ever heard of the term Runner's high?
If you haven't, it's the state of euphoria that runners often feel after a lengthy workout. Though some may call it a myth, this runner's high is 100% real, as an exercise in all forms is great for the heart, body and mind.
The best exercises to stimulate happiness are those focused on cardio, like running, biking, dancing, swimming and boxing. They are even shown to be as effective as anti-depressants, as these activities release mood-boosting endorphins.
Consistent exercise can even change the brain structure that controls the mood, which is often contributed to significant improvements in memory, energy and outlook.
Spend some time meditating
Mindfulness is continually proven to be one of the best ways to promote a positive attitude. Taking some time away from the busyness of the world to sit in a quiet space and focus on your breathing can forcibly teach you how to slow down, ease anxiety and control your body.
This period of relaxation can restore your body to its full function, allowing it to produce and release plenty of endorphins.
Though these are only a few examples of how we can stimulate happiness in our bodies, there are many others. Just some additional ones include physical touch, spending time in nature, and doing things that make you laugh.
Remember, doing what makes you feel happy is important, indulgence in moderation is okay and being happy is the key to a life well-lived.
