Girl! You Are So Hormonal!
(Edited)
Do you feel a tab bit emotional today?
This image was taken by my daughter to prove life is not always easy.
Have you ever wondered what makes you do the things you do? You know, eating comfort food when you are having a rough day, working hard to achieve tough goals or even longing for the sweet cuddle from your significant other. It all boils down to hormones and brain chemistry.
We need to have ways to help us get through the both the the rough times and the other days. In order to do that, we need to find ways to increase four brain chemicals: Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, and Endorphins. Each of these chemicals has different effects on the brain and knowing a little about them will help you know how to increase them and help you cope better. Let's take a moment and search out exactly how they affect us.
Looking things over closely can help us avoid trouble down the road.
This image was taken by my daughter for autumn photos.
These are some pretty technical terms so I looked up how each affected our brains. I found a really great article on Healthline's website. The article is How to Hack Your Hormones for a Better Mood. It takes all four to help keep our minds in perfect balance. They are triggered by thoughts, activity, and items and these triggers are not always good triggers which can cause things like emotional eating, cutting oneself, making wrong decisions... the dangers are many, but if we understand what triggers these chemicals we can learn to change the outcome.
Quote taken from How to Hack Your Hormones for a Better Mood.
DOPAMINE
This is the hormone that makes us feel good when we do things much like a reward. It is often like when we are training a dog to do tricks. They do the trick, you give them a reward. This, in turn, gives the dog a reason to do what you want. Now I am not saying you are a dog, but your mind works the same way. It is why that A on a test and glass of wine when you finish your housework feels so good. You have rewarded yourself for doing an activity. That feel-good feeling helps to convince you to do what needs to be done. Exercise and diet are definitely a good example of this as well. You work hard doing the cardio and strength training, which helps you to your goal of being healthy. That rush you feel when you can see the hard work has paid off is the chemical reward.
Working out is a great way to help reinforce good healthy choices.
My son-in-law took these photos of my daughter working to a healthier lifestyle.
SEROTONIN
Serotonin has a huge effect on how our body works. It is responsible for managing things like sleep, appetite, and mood. Often those who suffer from Seasonal Depression will find they have not gotten enough sunlight due to the short sunshine during the winter months. Vitamin D is one of the products of being outside in the sun. Often you can find people getting outside to help improve their moods, this is the reason, a lack of Vitamin D. If you are having issues with lack of sleep or too much sleep, this could also be the reason. You should always check with your doctor if you are having major depression issues, I am not a doctor and I am learning about how to manage my moods as well; I do have medical help when I cannot shake the depression.
Getting out into the sun is extremely helpful in producing serotonin.
My daughter took this photo of GrandGeorge the Third a few years ago.
OXYTOCIN
Let's talk about the "love hormone"! The two prior hormones have basically been all about you and your body, but oxytocin is about you and the ones you love. It is also the hormone used for labor and sex; it's what helps love become more than just sex though. This hormone is responsible for making you and your loved ones feel close and cared about. It helps to stimulate trust, empathy, and closeness. Just think about it, when you give another person a hug it makes you and them feel all warm inside. You not only have power over your mood, but you can help them have a better day as well.
My GrandGeorge the Fifth showing his momma some lovin's!
The daughter took this adorable image with her cellphone.
ENDORPHINS
Endorphins rock! They are what make us happy! But just how do they do it? These little rock stars are created by activity. Taking a walk, eating comfort food, or just being around things or people you love. It stirs up the brain and brings out the feel-good thoughts, memories, and emotions.
The first time I heard of endorphins was when I watched a movie called Legally Blonde. In it, a woman was accused of murder, but Elle, the star of the show, remembered that endorphins were created by exercise and the exercised created endorphins and endorphins created happy people; and the whole thing was that happy people didn't kill other people. It was a "tah-dah" moment for me.
Used from Katy Knight's YouTube page.
So just think about it...
When you start to feel down and blue, why not go outside with your sweetheart and take a walk in the sunshine while holding hands. It is bound to make you feel better. However, make sure you are walking down to the nearest donut shop to enjoy a little sweet treat to make it even better!
This should take care of the pain, it is a Hurts Donut after all!
This image was taken by myself and the eater is my one of my daughters.
Many thanks go out to my daughter.
She allowed me to use the above photos she had.
It has been nice sharing her and two of my GrandGeorges with you.
Daughter's self portrait with her Sony camera.
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Oh yes we girls are so hormone ... and I recognize a lot of what you write here. Especially the Serotonine is 'a thing' for me. I have sleep problems for as long as I can remember. And yet ... I spend many hours a day outside. So far nothing has helped me with this, so I kinda accepted it. Thanks for this interesting read.
Wish you strength in learning to get control of your hormones. Have a great evening and take care! 💖
Thank you so much. Since I am trying to spend time outside and doing more physically, I seem to be sleeping much better. I know it can really be frustrating when you just aren't able to sleep.
Thanks so much for reading the post!
Very welcome, again thank you for sharing this post.
Excellent informative post @xcountytravelers, it does give some insight to a lot of what people may be needing that they have possibly overlooked. These chemicals and their reactions are necessary to maintain a balanced life, but there are many more they must work with as well.
oh yes, these were just a few. I wanted to share a few that I try to focus on when I am fighting the depression issues.
Oh I so could do without them, and more balls. But ok we have to deal with them and I do. I love the family photos
I was worried she would say no, but she was real supportive. I love how the photos fit right along the post.
You want more balls??? Would a couple of nuts work just as well?
Welcome aboard, following you and really nice and informative post. I just saw some articles on the connection between gut and mind and how supplements and food really affect our thought processes, we crave cheese and chocolate for a reason ;)
Exactly! We are learning so much about eating healthy and how it affects our bodies.
Can't wait to get to know you as well. Thanks so much for reading the post.
I used to think to myself, "Oh, those whores are moaning again!" That was mostly permission to eat something.
You are so right though, our eating habits and hormones have a special relationship. I loved the pictures you used for illustration. Tell your daughter they were awesome.
Thanks so much. For everything.
Upped and Reposted
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I will make sure she knows. She is @andiekins but has not had time to post in so long. She stepped away from it and moved on.
Thanks so much for your kindess.
I thank you from the world for your many kindnesses!I hope you are having a great time!
Always welcome.
❤️
🎁 Hi @xcountytravelers! You have received 0.1 HIVE tip from @dswigle!
Check out @dswigle blog here and follow if you like the content :)
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Hugs, hugs, hugs. I am a hug addict! Better then chocolate, dare I say!
oh I so love, love, love hugs!
Serotonin, been there. SSRI's avoid them if possible, natural way is best.
SSRI? What is that?