WAIT! What Chemicals?
So I would like to state right away that the chemicals I am referring to are the main four Chemicals that the body releases for feeling good and happy.
Endorphins, Dopamine, Serotonin and Oxytocin. Each of these can be a major contributor to your healthy mood and can be released while doing Karate.
So what are they?
1. Endorphins
Endorphins are opioid neuropeptides, which means they are produced by the central nervous system to help us deal with physical pain. They also make us feel lightheaded, and even giddy at times. One non-painful (well, not too painful) way to induce endorphins is exercise.
Endorphins are released after both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. In one study, as little as 30 minutes of walking on a treadmill for 10 days in a row was sufficient to produce a significant reduction in depression among clinically depressed subjects.
2. Serotonin
Serotonin may be the best-known happiness chemical because it’s the one that antidepressant medication primarily addresses. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is naturally triggered by several things we can do each day.
Exposure to bright light, especially sunshine, is one way to increase serotonin. Exercise and happy thoughts also stimulate production of this chemical. Some research has found that a higher intake of tryptophan-heavy foods, relative to other foods in the diet, may do the trick as well.
3. Dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter often referred to as the “chemical of reward.” When you score a goal, hit a target, or accomplish a task, you receive a pleasurable hit of dopamine in your brain that tells you you’ve done a good job. But you can also get a natural dose of dopamine when you perform acts of kindness toward others.
Volunteering has been shown to increase dopamine as well as have other long-term health benefits. And some research has even found that it only takes thoughts of loving kindness to bring on the dopamine high.
4. Oxytocin
Mothers may be familiar with oxytocin, the hormone produced in abundance during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Oxytocin is primarily associated with loving touch and close relationships.
This hormone provides a multiple whammy of warm fuzzies, by stimulating dopamine and serotonin, while reducing anxiety. To get your hit of oxytocin without popping drugs, give someone you love a cuddle. Hand shakes high fives and pats on the back work too.
The video attached to this article will represent more of how these chemicals can better enhance your mood by activities done in Karate by Mr. Maxx Fairo 5th degree black belt and owner of the https://panthermartialarts.univiersity network and panther Kenpo in Morrisville PA
