We all have moments when we need a little cheering up sometimes, and one of the best ways to get you cheered up and feeling better is by getting your serotonin levels up by exercising.
What is serotonin you might ask? “Serotonin is a hormone produced in the body which signals to the brain when we’re feeling happy and there are plenty of ways to stimulate the body’s production of this important hormone,” and one of the best and quickest way to get your serotonin levels up is through exercise.
To help lift you when you are feeling down we have compiled 4 exercises below for you to try that are very effective in getting your serotonin levels up and boosting your overall mood.
1. Dancing
Dancing is a great form of aerobic exercise that gets the blood pumping and the heart-rate up.
Pair the physical challenges of this energetic activity with the mood-boosting benefits of music and you’ve already ticked two of the serotonin product boxes, meaning you’re onto winner.
What’s more, dancing is something that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy, so regardless of whether you’re a salsa-pro or you’ve got two left feet, simply having a go is enough to burn some serious calories and get the serotonin flowing.
2. Running
Running is one of those love it or hate it exercises that really divides people, but like many things in life, it can become enjoyable with a little practice.
Running is one of the best ways to produce serotonin naturally and so if you can stick with it past those first few runs, you’ll reap huge rewards.
3. Yoga
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Yoga is a fantastic way to reduce anxiety and stress levels thanks to its combination of calming breathing techniques and muscle-relaxing stretches that release physical tension.
The combination of deep targeted breathing and slow stretching helps to relieve physical tension in the body and slow down the heart-rate, both of which aid relaxation and will have you feeling better in no time.
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Sometimes it’s easy to forget that walking is exercise and, just like other activities that get you moving, walking also helps the body produce happy endorphins.
Ideal for those who are new to exercise or are living with injuries, a brisk walk can help transform a bad day into a good day by stimulating the production of serotonin – and as an added bonus, 30 minutes of brisk walking will also burn between 100-300 calories.
For additional pick-me-up benefits, why not plug into some music on your walk while you enjoy the sunshine and take in the beauty of nature? This in itself is a fantastic mood-booster.
Special thanks to our fitness model for this feature Letti get to know more about her below.
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