happy hormones inner medicine cabinet!

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE YOUR VERY OWN INNER MEDICINE CABINET?

WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN UNIQUE FORMULA.

THROUGH SELF DISCOVERY WE LEARN OUR DOSES.

NO TWO PEOPLE WILL HAVE THE EXACT FORMULA.

discover your personal happy hormone prescription!

investigate yourself.

Start noticing when something inside you, changes.

what makes your shoulders drop?

what makes you feel alive?

what makes you laugh?

what makes you think, “There i am”

THE HAPPY HORMONES

Your Inner Medicine Cabinet.

Your body has an extraordinary pharmacy built right in. Every day, your brain and body produce chemical messengers involved in pleasure, motivation, connection, mood, stress regulation, pain relief and wellbeing. You may have heard of them collectively before- dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins.

Your medicine cabinet is never locked.

Many ordinary experiences-movement, sunlight, music, laughter, accomplishment, affection, creativity, time in nature and meaningful connection- can influence the systems involved in how we feel. The invitation isn’t to be “happy” all the time.

Every emotion has information, and being human includes the entire spectrum. This is about learning your body well enough to recognize when you need support, and what helps that state to shift.

DOPAMINE- Motivation and Reward

Dopamine plays an important role in motivation, learning, reward and our drive to pursue something. Think: “I did it!”

Experiment with completing small tasks, learning something new, creating, listening to music, and set achievable goals. Your dose may be: crossing something off of your list, finishing a workout, tending your garden, or finally doing the thing you’ve been avoiding.

SEROTONIN- Mood and Regulation

Serotonin is involved in many processes throughout the body, including mood, sleep, appetite and digestion. Think: Steadying and Regulating.

Movement, daylight exposure, supportive routines, time outdoors and nourishing social experiences can all be pieces of a lifestyle that supports healthy mood regulation.

Your dose might be: a morning walk, swimming, sitting in the sunshine, spending time among trees or simply getting your body moving.

OXYTOCIN- Connection & Bonding

Oxytocin is associated with social bonding, attachment and aspects of trust and connection. Think: “I am connected”

Affectionate touch, cuddling, intimacy, supportive relationships and caring interactions can engage systems associated with bonding.

Your dose might be: hugging someone you love, cuddling your pet, holding hands, sharing a meaningful conversations or spending time with someone who makes you feel safe and connected.

ENDORPHINS- The Body’s Natural Opioids

Endorphins are chemicals produced by the body that can help modulate pain and are involved in the pleasurable effects associated with certain activities. Think: release.

Exercise is perhaps the best know example, while laughter and other pleasurable experiences may also interact with the body’s broader pain and stress-regulating systems.

Your dose might be: dancing in the kitchen, laughing until your stomach hurts, running, swimming, hitting the punching bad or putting your favorite song and moving.

ADRENALINE- Energy & Activation

Adrenaline is part of your body’s built in mobilization system. When something exciting, challenging or potentially threatening happens, adrenaline helps prepare your body for action. Think: “GO!”

You might notice adrenaline before jumping into the cold water, riding a roller coaster, competing in a sport, performing in front of people, trying something daring, or simply doing something that stretches you beyond your comfort zone.

Your dose might be: a cold plunge, sprinting, and adventurous activity, dancing wildly, competing, or taking a safe and intentional risk.

Your personal prescription could look like this:

When I need momentum…………..

When I need connection………..

When I need grounding……..

When I need release………..

When I need joy…..

When I need rest………

And then, when you notice what you need, you don’t always have to wait for the outside world to provide it. You can open the cabinet. Choose something you’ve learned supports you.

And take a little dose of your own medicine.

“WHAT’S IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET?”