Today I went for my first Pilates class. I’ve never been for one before and my sister persuaded me to go for a trial class.

I can’t tell you how good I felt after just 45 minutes. It got me thinking that my husband was right (for a change! – just joking!) He keeps pushing me to exercise or go for a walk every day because I’m the biggest couch potato you can find!

During the lockdown my exercise has been inconsistent and I’d gotten really lazy and though I knew theoretically I feel good but there is always something to do…housework, work, netflix, amazon prime etc etc He used to say- all your depression will go if you do 10 ‘uthak baithak’ a day!

Anyway, yes, a little exercise goes a long way and the happy hormones are back!

Let’s talk about releasing Happy Hormones today.

Endorphins are happy hormones that prevent anxiety and depression. I read somewhere that it even helps during the pains of childbirth.As we head into another lockdown, endorphins are the way we can alleviate anxiety.

Here are some things I found that we can do which help release endorphins.

eat dark chocolate

exercise (any form of exercise will do, but exercising in a group is even better)

have sex

create music or art

dance

have a glass of wine

get acupuncturelaugh

enjoy your favorite dish

get a massage or give yourself a foot massage

eat something spicy

try some aromatherapy or burn aromatherapy candles

watch your favorite TV drama

meditate

volunteer

Of course, everything has to be balanced with at least 30-45 mins of exercise a day.

I’m going to ask the doctors in our lovely group to share tips to release endorphins that create the chemicals that make us happy.

Do share your tips to release endorphins. I’d love to try them!