How to Boost Your Endorphins

Endorphins are the bodies natural happy drug. You have receptors in your body that control how you feel. These receptors send out chemicals that make you feel happy or sad. Endorphins are what is released to make you feel happy, more energetic, relieve pain and all around feel more positive. They have large effect on how we feel and our energy levels. Endorphins are ten times more powerful than any anti depressants. A lower level or lack of endorphins can make you feel depressed. Substance abuse cam burn out your receptors lowering your endorphin levels and leaving you feeling depressed and tired. A balanced diet and exercise can naturally boost your endorphin levels making you feel good and healthy.

Eating right is a big part of bringing your endorphin levels up. Not getting enough nutrients and vitamins will bring these levels down. A balanced diet will bring your levels up. Also there are numerous foods that have natural qualities that make you feel good and help boost your endorphin levels.

Strawberries

Strawberries are rich in vitamin C. The vitamins found in strawberries help produce endorphins and stimulate nerve impulses. Antioxidants are also found in strawberries and these help get rid of toxins in your body that are harmful. Strawberries are also delicious and make a great snack.

Grapes

Grapes are full of vitamin C. Vitamin C and the natural sugars found in this fruit make them great mood and endorphin boosters.

Oranges

Oranges are packed with vitamin C and have lots of antioxidants. They are another amazing mood boosting fruit. They also have a lot of vitamin B which helps make you feel good.

Bananas

Bananas are full of potassium. Potassium helps strengthen your nerves and receptors. The natural sugars found in bananas boost your energy level quickly.

Peppers

Peppers increase endorphins too. Studies have found the hotter and spicier the food the more endorphins they release. This is great if you like your food hot.

Chocolate

Chocolates are a wonderful feel good food. It only takes a few small pieces of this yummy stuff to boost your endorphin levels and make you feel good.

Just about any type of physical activity that makes you sweat is a natural endorphin booster. Any time you raise your heart rate for a good few minutes at a time you release tons of endorphins. This is a wonderful way to feel and look good. If you have ever gotten a rush of adrenaline after working out, this was caused by the large amount of endorphins released from all the activity. Since there are so many different kinds of activities that do this it is easy for anyone to find one that suites them. Some of these activities are listed bellow.

• Running
• Walking
• Dancing
• Swimming
• Roller skating
• Ice Skating
• Weightlifting
• Basketball
• Tennis
• Soccer
• Yoga
• Jump rope
• Free running
• Aerobics
• Bike riding

These are just some of the things you can do but don't be afraid to get creative to find one that works for you.

Have you ever noticed your mood improve on a really nice day. This is because being out in natural sunlight greatly boosts endorphins. The Vitamin D in the sun is a big help in getting your endorphins flowing. You can team up the power of the sun and some exercise and get some awesome results. If you live in an area that does not get much sunlight doctors recommend taking vitamin D supplements to ensure getting enough of this vitamin. Also if you can not get much natural sunlight studies have shown that tanning beds can produce similar affects. You have to be careful when using tanning beds not to overdo it but every once in a while this can make a difference in your mood too.

Laughing can also boost endorphins. It is as easy as sitting down to watch your favorite comedy show or hearing one of your friends tell a good joke. Smiling is another way to get happy. It really is true you can fake it until you make it. If you smile and laugh even when you really don't feel up to it you will start to slowly feel better anyway because these activities trigger your receptors to release endorphins. This can be the easiest of ways to get out of a slump and improve your mood since you can do this in minutes and it does not require anything but yourself.

Taking some time to relax and calm your nerves can do the trick. Meditation has been proven to boost endorphins. Finding ten to fifteen minutes to just have to yourself to relax and take a quick nap is a great way to do this. Yoga is another great way to do this because it is a relaxing workout. A walk on the beach is another great idea. Clearing your mind can make you feel good and calm. Massage is another spectacular way to treat yourself and boost your endorphins. The sensation of touch is great for your body and mind.