Many of the activities that we carry out daily or occasionally are done simply because they produce a feeling of well-being and even a change in mood. This can be a feeling of happiness or relaxation, for example, with minor activities such as eating chocolate, dancing, singing, sunbathing, receiving a massage, walking, or practicing yoga.
This is the effect of the endorphins released in the body before these stimuli. Endorphins produce calm, improve mood, maintain youth, reduce pain, and other functions. Therefore, we can say that they constitute an essential element to living a happy life, so in this FastlyHealarticle, we will explain precisely what endorphins are and what they are for so that in this way, you are motivated to do all those activities that fill you with happiness, knowing that you are producing a positive effect on your body when you do them.
Table of Contents
What are endorphins
They are substances that function as neurotransmitters; they contribute to the transmission of nerve impulses and are produced in the body naturally; they are also known as the hormone that makes happiness. They are released from the spinal cord and the bloodstream. This helps us get strength or motivation even if the goal seems far away.
Endorphins produce a feeling of well-being and, in addition, they calm pain and allow us to enjoy life things and feel happy when coping with personal crises.
Endorphin release is evident when you receive a message, or a caress since some nerves in the skin are stimulated. Also, when receiving affection or some advice, they are released.
What are endorphins for?
Increased levels of endorphins in our body produce happiness in a person doing something he likes to do. What’s more:
- They are associated with the change in a person’s mood.
- They reduce the pain caused by an injury.
- They delay aging.
That is why a happy person always stays younger and increases the sense of defense of the immune system since it is affected in depressed or bad-tempered people.
Other functions that endorphins have are that they reduce blood pressure, counteract the anxiety of the person, regulate the appetite, and make the mind understand that they can reduce any evil or symptoms present.
The person feels pleasure in a pleasant situation, and in other cases, it helps to release sex hormones.
How to know that we have low endorphin levels
The symptoms of having low endorphin levels are those in which the person looks sad or depressed for no apparent reason, people with irritable mood, or bored; these are people who need an increase in endorphins in their body. It is also an indication that you have low levels of endorphins when it is difficult for you to enjoy life and those who are very susceptible because they are affected by some trauma or life problem. It is also widespread among people who constantly live under a lot of stress.
Low endorphin levels can be genetic, so some family members are similar in mood. Food also plays a vital role in the release of endorphins because if you do not eat enough protein, there will not be enough amino acids that produce endorphins.
How to release endorphins
Endorphins can be released into the body by performing various activities with pleasure and providing you with entertainment. Some examples of this are the following:
- By eating dark chocolate.
- When sunbathing.
- Go for a walk, jog, or exercise.
- When you dance or sing.
- During meditation or yoga.
- When listening to music.
- When you paint or draw, you also release endorphins.
- When performing breathing exercises.
- Also activities like swimming or biking.
- When you receive massages or caresses.
However, there is another way to raise endorphin levels in case the person does not have enough courage to perform any activity and is the consumption of DLPA supplements, which contain phenylalanine, an element that is responsible for producing endorphins, in addition to increasing energy levels, sadness decreases, increases the feeling of happiness and pleasure, however, there is no better treatment than natural.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.