|
Endorphins?
What are they and why do I need to know
about them? Well, they are a chemical in your brain that
can affect your depression. If you are taking
anti-depressants (which work to elevate seratonin levels in your
brain), and they are not enough--you are still not feeling
happy, content, or at peace-- you may have low endorphins.
Endorphins are an opiate, and effect your brain the way that morphine
does (morphine is also an opiate). It is the chemical
responsible for "runners high".
|
Healthy
Endorphin Raisers |
Unhealthy
Endorphin Raisers |
| Going for a walk or
gentle exercise. |
Having an argument.
(Ever started one deliberately and wondered why?) |
| Playing with your pets. |
Reliving
confrontations, arguments, or painful episodes over and
over in your head. |
| Having sex. |
Picking at hangnails,
pimples, scabs. |
| Wearing a color you
love. |
Excessive exercise at
an intense level. |
| Spending time with
people you love and like. |
Repetitive obsessive
compulsive behaviours. |
| Doing a favorite
activity. |
Eating a lot of sugar. |
| Repetitive motions
(such as knitting or hand sewing). |
Drinking a lot of
caffeine. |
| Getting out into
natural light, especially sunshine. |
Drinking a lot of
alcohol. |
| Singing and/or dancing
to your favorite music. |
Causing yourself
physical pain. |
| A warm bubble bath. |
Imagining a
confrontation or an argument in your head. |
| Laughing. |
Road rage. |
| Chanting. |
Being late for an
appointment. |
| Having a good cry. |
Rushing to meet a
deadline (do you wait until the last minute to finish
projects? Work 'well' under pressure?) |
| Being in natural
surroundings. |
Creating or
participating in "drama" in your work, family,
or social situation. |
Do any of the unhealthy endorphin raisers sound
familiar? If you are engaging in these behaviors, it is
because the endorphin chemicals in your brain are low, and
you are unconsciously looking to increase it. That makes a lot of your
actions more understandable, doesn't it? <smile>
Our
bodies are smart, they know what they need, they just don't
always choose the best way to get it. Understanding is
power, observe your behaviors and be gentle with yourself.
Your body is out of balance, and it is that unbalance that is
causing your behavior, not a flaw in your personality.
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Tip:
Make your endorphin raising activities gentle. Too
vigorous, and you get an endorphin spike (which is always followed
by a crash). Aim for a gentle increase in endorphins
and
your feeling of well-being will be less dramatic, but
longer lasting.