041Fitness columnist Nadine Lahana shares tips on how to increase your happy hormones and stay motivated
Made in the hypothalamus, but stored and released into your bloodstream by your pituitary gland, OXYTOCIN (also known as the love drug) is responsible for REWARD & MOTIVATION.
Scientists tell us that there are 2 MAIN TYPES of MOTIVATION :
1. APPROACH (when we know something is coming and begin to look forward to it) and
2. AVOIDANCE (when we overthink or perhaps have had a bad experience with something similar and go into “fight or flight”).
Why do we lose motivation?
We usually start any challenge highly motivated and ready for the reward, but can easily slip into avoidance when the rewards aren’t as forthcoming as expected, or we find ourselves a little far from our comfort zones.
How to avoid losing motivation
5 ways to trick your HAPPY HORMONES and stay motivated!
1. MASSAGE 2. SEX 3. EXERCISE 4. MUSIC 5. VITAMIN C
The first hump and we’re in FIGHT OR FLIGHT! (Hence the YO-YO gains and losses on our diet resume!) trigger your OXYTOCIN by committing to a healthier lifestyle, that includes as many of the above 5 pleasures as you can!!
FOR HIGHER VITAMIN C (go for it, this is not a Vitamin with reported toxicity due to high intake), try the GO~GREEN approach of ADDING..adding…ADDING! Toss fruit and veg into mid morning smoothies, add colourful veg to your rainbow bowls. If you want to make it easier to get it all in, GO PLANT BASED! 💚 My Workshops focus on a complete change of mindset and lifestyle approach rather than quick fix diet. FOR VITAMIN C: Peppers, broccoli, Citrus fruits, tomatoes & tomato juice, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, Berries kiwifruit, Melon, Chili peppers, Kale
MUSIC & EXERCISE 🎶 🤸🏼♀️ Music plays a huge part of my life and the varied genres I listen to, contribute significantly to my overall wellness. In the Studio, it ranges from progressive house to hectic techno. BPM keeps me moving! At home or out in nature, it ranges from mediation, relaxation and Classical to the old Jazz greats. Music can motivate and inspire as well as it can relax. It sets the tone.
MASSAGE: Aside from touch contributing to the reduction of pain, depression and anxiety, a good massage can reduce tension and improve circulation. All of which induce happiness!
SEX: Come on, do I really have to explain… 🤔 😉
Nadine Lahana is a certified nutrition and wellness specialist, personal trainer, health writer for various publications, and Fitness Content Creator. She believes in teaching the basics of nutrition and empowering others to make better choices. ( Instagram TikTok and Facebook)
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