Boosting your mood to generate enough and more endorphins is an art form that can be cultivated with consistent practice of select routines and become second nature. We explore a few ways to achieve overall well-being despite the everyday craziness we all grapple with. These hacks will make you feel good and enable you to relax with maximum ease.
A relaxed mind and body help us brainstorm better, problem solve better and handle the ups and downs better. A relaxed mind also helps us manifest five times more! If you’re looking to boost your mood and overall well-being, a great way to do this is to ramp up your brain’s production of positive neurotransmitters known as endorphins. These are chemicals created by your brain naturally during certain routines or activities and these brain chemicals help regulate your mood, energy, and motivation.
Hack 1: One With Nature
Being in nature has been shown to increase levels of serotonin and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. Take a walk, embark on a hike, go for a swim, or simply sit outside in a park or garden with your bare feet on the grass or sand. Looking at water can ease our tension. Walking in nature can release pent-up negative energy. For city dwellers like us, there is yet another way to connect with our natural surroundings. It’s the practice of grounding – a mindfulness technique that helps anchor you in the present moment and reduces stress and anxiety. Grounding involves focusing on your physical senses and surroundings, such as the feel of the ground beneath your bare feet or tuning into the sound of the wind rustling through leaves. By actively engaging your senses on a specific element in the external world you can tune out distracting thoughts and emotions and be fully present in the moment.
Grounding can be done anywhere and at any time, making it a great tool to use when you need to take a quick mental break. This technique brings you into the habit of cultivating a sense of calm and brings greater awareness to your body and mind.
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The Grounding Kit
Hack 2: Tap, Tap, Tap Away
Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT is a easy to do and efficient practice that combines elements of acupuncture, neuroscience and psychology to release emotional trauma. Also known as ‘tapping’ because you physically tap on specific points on the body while mentally focusing on a problem or negative emotion. By doing this, EFT aims to rebalance the body’s energies, release blockages caused by trauma and promote inner healing. Once you master this technique, you’ll be able to practice this even while standing in a grocery queue – it’s that easy to do but so impactful on your overall wellbeing!
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The Release Kit
Hack 3: Night Time Therapy
When we sleep our body gets the rest it is craving and your conscious mind shuts off for you to be rejuvenated and ready for yet another day! A good nighttime routine is simple and so important. Studies show practicing gratitude increases dopamine and serotonin levels which are neurotransmitters associated with happiness and well-being. Just before bedtime, write down the things you’re thankful for each day. It doesn’t need to be a long list, but it does need to be a list of things you genuinely ‘feel’ grateful for. The feeling of gratitude is important to make this practice an effective one to promote positive emotions prior to sleeping.
Quality of sleep also leads to happiness and while you can purchase the best mattress money can buy, there are simple hacks to help relieve stress to ensure your sleep is of the best quality. One such hack is to listen to music that relieves anxiety at night. For example, “Weightless“, a song by Marconi Union reduces anxiety by slowing down the heart rate and reducing cortisol levels in the body. It features calming sounds, such as gentle rainfall, and has no discernible melody, making it easy to focus on and use for relaxation. The song is specifically designed to induce a state of deep relaxation and has been described as “the most relaxing song in the world”. It’s a great tool to use during meditation, mindfulness, or when you need a quick break to calm your nerves.
Lack of sleep can lead to decreased levels of serotonin and dopamine, which can affect mood and energy levels. One way to relieve this is to lie with your neck off the bed. It is a simple technique that can help reduce neck pain and tension. This position allows for gentle traction of the neck, which can help decompress the cervical vertebrae and relieve pressure on the nerves. To do this, lie on your back with your head hanging off the edge of the bed, making sure your shoulders are supported. Stay in this position for a few minutes, allowing your neck muscles to relax and your spine to gently lengthen. It’s important not to force the stretch or stay in this position for too long, as it may cause discomfort or strain. This technique should be avoided if you have any neck injuries, and it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional prior to trying this.
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The Sleep Kit
Remember, these hacks are just a few ways to naturally boost your brain’s positive neurotransmitters. Try incorporating them into your daily routine, and see how they make you feel!
Lack of sleep can lead to decreased levels of serotonin and dopamine, which can affect mood and energy levels. One way to relieve this is to lie with your neck off the bed. It is a simple technique that can help reduce neck pain and tension. This position allows for gentle traction of the neck, which can help decompress the cervical vertebrae and relieve pressure on the nerves. To do this, lie on your back with your head hanging off the edge of the bed, making sure your shoulders are supported. Stay in this position for a few minutes, allowing your neck muscles to relax and your spine to gently lengthen. It’s important not to force the stretch or stay in this position for too long, as it may cause discomfort or strain. This technique should be avoided if you have any neck injuries or conditions, and it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional first if you’re experiencing neck pain.
Use these hacks to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Increased levels of oxytocin, a neurotransmitter associated with bonding and happiness bring your mind, body, and soul to a place where one can actually manifest a better reality for oneself. Remember, these hacks are just a few ways to naturally boost your brain’s positive neurotransmitters. Try incorporating them into your daily routine, and see how they make you feel!
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