The opioid neuropeptides, endorphins are produced by your central nervous system to relieve the physical pain and help you feel better anytime.
These feel-good chemicals can make you feel lightheaded, excited, and less stressed. Endorphins are considered natural stress and pain fighters, but they boast much more health benefits than you think.
There are around 20 kinds of endorphins in the body and they’re distributed throughout the nervous system, and are found in most parts of the brain and the pituitary gland.
Since endorphins tend to interact with the brain’s opiate receptors, they usually act like drugs such as codeine and morphine. These feel-good chemicals also lead to modulation of appetite, feelings of euphoria, immune response enhancement, and the release of sex hormones.
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Read on to find out some of the best health benefits of endorphins and the most natural ways to stimulate the release of happiness hormones.
The miracles endorphins work on your body
Endorphins provide your body with a host of health benefits, such as:
1.They boost your immune system
Endorphins activate the natural killer cells, improving the functioning of your immune system.
Not only do endorphins help to ward off various infections and illnesses, but also help to prevent premature aging and aid in fighting cancerous cells.
The endorphin secretion is linked to the immune system, which is why people who have low levels of endorphins in the body suffer from both mental and physical diseases.
2.They inspire you to foster healthy habits
Do you know what the best way to increase your level of happiness hormones? Of course, exercise.
Exercise, in turn, has hundreds of mental, weight loss, and physical benefits and it helps you stay slim and trim as well healthy and energized.
When we feel down, we try to go for a walk or start jogging to boost our moods. That’s because we love that feeling after a workout. When you stay active, you tend to eat healthier, too. Win-win!
3.They keep blood pressure at bay
High blood pressure is becoming one of the most common health issues among the 20 somethings and it’s terrifying.
When ignored, both high and low blood pressure can lead to a number of serious diseases, including stroke, heart failure, and mental disorders.
Since blood pressure is mostly controlled by the endocrine and nervous systems, endorphins are great helpers as they positively impact the functioning of these two systems. Stress is another reason for blood pressure and this is where endorphins help as well.
4.They help to overcome surgery and trauma better
People after surgery and those who have trauma suffer from very intense pain that even painkillers are unable to relieve.
Endorphins help to reduce the painful symptoms of surgery and trauma and help you stay positive. That’s why doctors often recommend their patients to consider massage therapy, acupuncture, physical activities, and many other therapies, as they all help to enhance the production of endorphins.
5.They help to banish mood swings
Not in mood for doing something? That’s a warning sign your body craves happiness hormones that combat bad moods and make you feel better. Moreover, they help you work more effectively and can even do your daily activities more fun.
6.They help to combat addictions
Sure, endorphins can’t help you overcome any addiction you suffer from, but it can become a necessary part of the healing process.
When it comes to food and phone addictions, though, these feel-good chemicals can do their work excellently.
Many studies have shown that people with normal or high levels of endorphins in the body have a tendency to eat more mindfully and healthier than those who lack endorphins.
There are also research reviews that claim that endorphins can also help to overcome alcohol addiction.
7.They help to improve self-esteem
Don’t confuse the word “self-esteem” with “confidence” or “self-love” here. Self-esteem is actually a measure of worth of your overall emotional evaluation.
Many factors contribute to your level of self-esteem, including the self-damaging feelings such as pride, jealousy, shame, triumph, fear, and despair. By fighting these bad feelings, you’re more likely to increase your self-esteem. Endorphins can help you with that.
8.They promote sound sleep
Endorphins work as natural relaxants, improving the quality of your sleep. Yoga is an excellent way to boost endorphins, so why not perform a few asanas before sleep?
9.They improve mental health
The incorrect functioning of neurotransmitters in your brain can lead to a number of mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.
Endorphins positively affect your moods, intelligence, and overall mental health. They work as the best natural antidepressants and can help you deal with severe panic attacks.
10.They relieve the pain
As mentioned above, endorphins have the powerful pain-relieving properties, but it’s not only about trauma and surgery.
These feel-good chemicals can help you reduce almost any type of the pain, including headaches, toothache, stomach pain, back pain, arm and leg pains.
11.They keep your heart healthy
Healthy heart is a key to a long life. Since endorphins elevate the mood and reduce the stress, they help your heart feel happy and healthy. Doesn’t it sound like a good reason to get a massage or run around the neighborhood?
12.They help to improve your cognition
Have trouble boosting your inspiration or creativity levels? Think about increasing your levels of endorphins first. Not only do they improve your cognitive function, but it helps to improve memory and productivity as well.
10 Ways to Boost Endorphins Naturally
There are no supplements or drugs that can stimulate the production of happiness hormones. That’s the good news number one. The second good news is that you can increase your levels of endorphins naturally without ruining your budget.
1.Move your body
Exercise is the cheapest, fastest, and easiest way to fill your body with the feel-good chemicals. It will cost you nothing to walk in the park or run around your block or house.
The growing numbers of reviews and studies have already shown the positive effects of regular exercise on the body. It helps to prevent mood swings and panic attacks, relieve the symptoms of depression, improve the appetite, promote good sleep, keep your heart healthy, and many others.
Moreover, exercise leaves you more productive, optimistic, and energized – not to mention that it gives you a sense of accomplishment.
2.Smile, giggle, and laugh
Smile is a fantastic way to improve your mood as it stimulates the production of happiness hormones.
However, laughter works wonders. Even fake laughter helps to feel you better in no time. When you laugh, you promote the release of endorphins, enhancing an overall sense of well-being. Laughter is often called the best medicine and now you know why.
3.Fuel your body
You can’t fuel your car with a low quality gas, can you? Think about your body in the same way.
Stop eating all that unhealthy stuff and switch to the wholesome foods. The food you put into your body plays a critical role in creating neurotransmitters, which are responsible for making you feel good.
Never skip your meals, increase your intake of fruit and veggies (especially those rich in antioxidants), keep your protein intake in check, hydrate your body, and eat healthy fats. Ditch or at least limit your intake of coffee, sugar, salt, meat, alcohol, and fast food.
4.Hug and cuddle
Cuddling and hugging can also release endorphins and increase your overall happiness. An added bonus: They also help improve relationships and feel connected to people you love.
5.Make love
It’s no surprise that making love stimulates an entire cocktail of the feel-good brain chemicals, including endorphins and love hormone oxytocin. Say “yes” to sex more often to keep your happiness hormones at the highest level possible.
6.Listen to your favorite music and sing
While a simple act of listening music makes your brain spew out tons of endorphins, singing is even the more effective way to stay happy. You don’t have to be a good singer or trained musician, let yourself be a bit crazy and opt for karaoke more often.
7.Dance
If exercise isn’t your thing, dancing is your best bet. Again, you don’t have to be a professional dancer, so ignore the wrong moves. Just switch on your favorite tunes and start dancing like no one’s watching. You’ll feel an instant flow of the feel-good chemicals inside your body.
8.Get acupuncture
Acupuncture isn’t for anyone, but if your doctor allows, it can be a wonderful way to stimulate the release of endorphins. It aids in treating the pain and gives a highly relaxed feeling that leaves you happy and healthy after each treatment.
9.Get a massage
Don’t want to be poked with needles? How about the massage treatment? Who would refuse to get a relaxing and healing massage that will stimulate endorphin production and thus elevate mood?
10.Spritz essential oils everywhere
Chamomile, vanilla, lavender, and rose essential oils have been proven to reduce the stress levels, as well as make the nerve cells release a combination of neurotransmitters, including endorphins.
Don’t overdo it, though. Too much of essential oils can cause headaches and in rare cases, allergic reactions.
Like any other feel-good chemical, endorphins play a vital role in our lives. A lack of these chemicals in the body can lead to horrible health issues and make your life dull and unhappy. If you’re prone to anxiety and depression, you should always keep your endorphin level in check to reduce the symptoms of your condition.
References:
- http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/13/health/endorphins-exercise-cause-happiness/index.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3632802/
- https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression#1
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3104618/
