Endorphin is the brain’s ‘feel-good’ chemical that is responsible for the sense of well-being, pleasure and pain alleviation. In today’s stressful lives, it is essential to have these neurotransmitters in abundance. Read on to know more.

Often related to the ‘runner’s high’ which is reached through rigorous exercises, there are several other endorphin-boosting positive-mood enhancing activities that can be done without breaking a sweat.

1. A random act of kindness: When you help someone, you relieve their emotional or physical stress. This act made you feel happier and fulfilled and thus triggering endorphin release. The positive vibe you experience can have a snowball effect on your happiness levels!
2. Take a hot bath: The effect of hot water on your body can trigger the release of endorphins in your blood as hot water relieves pain and tension in your muscles. The longer the hot bath, the better it is!
3. Laugh with friends and family: Watching a comedy movie, catching up on good old memories with friends and people you are close with can also release endorphins. Smiling and laughing with friends relieves the feeling of anxiety and stress, therefore, lifts that bad mood.
4. Eat spicy food: The hot and spicy taste of food is rather a pain sensation for our brain than pleasure. The body then releases endorphin to give a feeling of well-being, which could well explain the popularity of spicy food. Isn’t it counter-intuitive?
5. Smell some essential oils: Euphoric essential oils like lavender, rosemary, citrus fragrances are said to relieve anxiety, assist in endorphin release and uplift the mood. So, dab some lavender oil on your wrist or buy an air diffusor to feel happy!
6. Eat dark chocolate: Apart from the cardiovascular benefits, dark chocolate also contains a chemical that prompt release of pain-relieving and pleasure-promoting hormone, endorphin. The key is to know when to stop and not indulge!
7. Get some sunshine: Sun’s ultraviolet radiation can boost endorphin levels. A 15-minute sunlight a few times a week is a good dosage to improve your mood, enhance energy level and promote sound sleep. So, go out and get some Sun!
8. Enjoy a massage therapy session: A relaxing massage therapy helps in stress management and also assist in physical health regime. Multiple hormones like endorphin, dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin are released during a body massage session. A good massage never goes wrong!

You can enhance the ‘happiness chemical’ in your body by following these simple regimes in your everyday routine. Let’s boost endorphins!