Are you in pain or under so much stress to the point you just can’t take it anymore? Give yourself a break with an endorphin release. It’s natural and not addictive like some of those man made alternatives, for instance alcohol, prescription pain relievers, illicit drugs or antidepressants.
Endorphins are neurotransmitters released by the pituitary gland during times of pain or stress. Endorphin dispensing is part of an innate response to increase your chances of survival in the face of life or death circumstances. Under its influence you become a fearless warrior without ever noticing the pain nor stress of the moment.
Do you have to put your life on the line in order to cause this release? Research shows there are scenarios in which endorphins can be liberated without being in jeopardy of death. You can purposefully ignite endorphin’s natural pain relief and stress reduction power in various ways.
Following are some of experimentally supported mechanisms for you to try in the quest to give yourself a break for a while. And because of physiological differences you’ll probably need to experiment with different ones to discover which works best for you.
Let’s start with exercise, the best known and one of the healthiest causes for endorphin release. Before you decide that you already know exercise doesn’t work you need ensure you’ve met the criteria for its release during your previous experiences. On average, it takes about 30 minutes of intense aerobic activity to reach the discharge threshold.
Now you might ask yourself why would I want to go through that prolonged pain and stress when that’s exactly what I want to relieve or reduce in the first place. Because your perseverance will be rewarded by euphoria and a feeling of empowerment, not to mention improved fitness. Non of which would be an outcome if you sit around and agonize over your current plight. Perhaps if you add some fear to the equation (e.g. pretend you’ll die if you don’t run away), you may receive your endorphin delivery sooner. Use your imagination, it works wonders!
Sex can trigger the release of these natural painkilling compounds. How long does this exhilarating need to last to get the desired effects? Experiment and find out. But your trials must be guilt free encounters with someone you genuinely care about. No partner? Masturbation can cause this release as well.
Consuming certain foods induce endorphin release. The next time your pain or stress becomes intolerable try sitting down to a meal of chocolate and chili peppers. Sound like a funny combination? Well then go ahead and have a big chuckle over it because laughter is another avenue to stimulate natural endorphin secretion.
Don’t give up if laughter, chocolate or chili peppers fail to afford relief. Go ahead and move on to some of these other pain and stress reduction opportunities. Endorphins are naturally produced as a result of massage therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustment and meditation.
