Time to get happy! Endorphins are a release of hormones to the brain and the nervous system that give you that happy/energetic feeling. Sounds easy and perfect right? I wish it was that easy, for some of us it is, while others have a difficult time getting this natural and healthy rush. It seems that trying to get that happy feeling can elude many of us. This is one of the reasons that many resort to alcohol and drugs because their body does not easily create that rush for them. If endorphins were so easy to tap into, then maybe some addictions would be on the decline. My biggest fear is that data will show that many did resort to unhealthy addictions during the Pandemic of 2020. We all crave that happy rush of endorphins, but do we really try hard enough to tap into this natural resource inside our own bodies? I think that is where the real difficulty lies. It takes effort and a lot of creativity to create and continue to find new and exciting ways to generate a healthy endorphin flow.
Take a minute and think to yourself, “On a daily basis, how do I create an endorphin flow for myself to lift my mood and energy level?” If your answer is I don’t really plan on anything to raise my levels, I just let it happen organically throughout the day, then there is work to be done. Organic is great and we all love when those moments happen. An example of an organic moment is when you are with friends and you have a great big belly laugh. Think back to a time where you can remember having a laugh like that! I am sure you can remember that natural lightness and release of tension you had during that great laughing moment. Wouldn’t it be great if we could just bottle that feeling forever? Unfortunately, that is not possible, but the power is in our own hands.
During the Pandemic, I have found it harder and harder to find new ways to create that endorphin flow. A big reason for this is that all of our daily movements and interactions with others have become limited to six feet apart, no physical contact, wearing a mask, gloves and hand washing over and over again. It is monotony at it’s finest! Let’s be real, we can exercise, take walks, zoom friends, keep our environment neat and organized and watch fun comedies. These are some of the more common examples that I came up with. Due to our limited lifestyles, I fear that these activities will not be enough to continue to give us that endorphin flow, which could lead to depression, lack of motivation and loneliness. I believe we all need that natural rush in our lives and this is where the work comes in for you. Creativity will be the key. Each of you need to explore and find different avenues within our restrictions to create this excitement and the release of endorphins. This might mean trying things that are truly new to you like painting, writing songs, photography, or exploring your immediate outdoor surroundings. I know, I know, it takes work and preparation to incorporate new things into your daily life, but being mentally healthy during these times does require work.
I would like to share a personal experience with you of my own. This happened about two months ago. I was sitting outside in my backyard relaxing with my earbuds in just enjoying the summer weather. Clouds, quickly began to roll in like they do on a daily basis in Florida during the summer. Normally, when it would start to rain, I would just go inside. This particular summer day I didn’t. It wasn’t a hard rain, but enough. I didn’t move! I sat there still. I then turned my face up to the sky and just felt the raindrops on my face. I felt the raindrops on my arms that were hot and now being cooled off by the rain. I needed something at that moment to make me feel alive, to make me feel invigorated and to get my endorphins flowing. It felt so good and I felt so alive! I was doing something safe, healthy, and outside of my comfort zone and it made me feel ecstatic, light, and stress free. By using this personal moment of mine, you can allow yourselves to open your minds to new and creative ways to lift your spirits and your mood during Covid-19. We are all changing during these complicated times, but it doesn’t mean we can’t take control and beat Covid-19 from taking everything away from our lives and our happiness.
I CHALLENGE YOU TO EXPLORE ALL THE WIDE OPEN SPACES IN YOUR WORLD!
POSITIVE ENERGY, POSITIVE THOUGHTS,
ILISE
