Holiday Countdown–Tip #4 (from reader Eyes Wide Open): Keep Your Serotonin Levels Up!
This serotonin molecule doesn't look festive--but it's the key to holiday happiness. Guess how you make it?
Reader Eyes Wide Open has this to say about how she gets through the holidays with her sanity intact:
“Exercise!!! We try not to get stressed at the holidays because this season is such a lovely time and we enjoy the season so much more than the day – it’s hard to enjoy if everything is all stressed. This year has been tough with my husband not working much (and not receiving unemployment); when it all seems too much I cue up my iPod list and sweat it out until my legs are jelly. I usually try a new physical challenge (”I’ll do the big hill by the beach twice today!”) and by the end of the session, I’m so amped on adrenaline and proud of my accomplishment that I have no time to dwell on the stressful things. Plus then I can justify eating all the treats at the holiday parties!”
She’s onto something (and she has a blog, too, that you’ll enjoy). Experts tell us that it’s right at this time of year that many of us experience a dramatic dip in our body’s level of serotonin (a neurotransmitter that regulates, among other things, mood and sleep). Low levels of serotonin = disrupted sleep and down moods (or, in some people, actual depression) (remember that women are twice as likely to experience depression as men, and that a number of studies I discuss in my book found that women with stepchildren have higher levels of depression than women without stepkids).
New York City psychiatrist Andrew Gotzis, M.D. confirms that there are three ways to up your serotonin levels without medication:
1. Sleep
2. Exercise
3. (You’ll like this one) Orgasm
So those are the ingredients that make for a happier, less stressed mood this holiday season. Easier than sugar cookies, right? I’m trying to keep a straight face here as I say: Have fun.
(For some of us, an additional boost like melatonin at night and 5HTP during the day, or an antidepressant, may be necessary. Ask your doctor–you deserve to feel great)
Tags: Andrew Gotzis, blended family, depression, divorce, divorce with children, exercise, family, holiday tip, M.D., mood, remarriage, remarriage with children, serotonin, stepfamily, stepmonster, stepmother, stepmother advice, stepmother support, stepmothering, wednesday martin, women and depression
December 18th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Excellent tip!
And don’t forget, you can squeeze in muscle fatiguing seratonin inducing exercise in 15 minute windows.
Try alternating 10 pushups / 20 crunches for the next 15 minutes. You’ll feel better instantly and if you do this often enough, you’ll look marvelous in your bathing suit!
December 18th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
This is great advice, I havent been able to workout in 2 weeks and just in the past few days I have noticed how down I have felt. Not to mention all the bad food I have been eating and drinking at parties. That mixed with no workouts makes me feel down about myself and then my mood tends to be down. Nothing beats feeling good about yourself and feeling energized!
December 18th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Sleeping seems to be my main serotonin booster this week. I think I am hibernating.
Today, though, I changed things up a bit and had some chocolate in the morning so as to not sleep all day. Chocolate also stimulates serotonin production. Maybe that’s why chocolate is a traditional Christmas candy and dessert food.
Here you can read about how knitting stimulates serotonin and decreases stress:
http://www.prlog.org/10179509-knitting-and-crochet-offer-long-term-health-benefits.html
Also massage and yoga and sitting in hot tubs. My perfect day: first chocolate, then a walk, then some knitting, then a hot bath, then some yoga and massage. Some reading on the couch in front of the fire, and then bed and you know what.
Can you OD on serotonin? What a way to go!
December 19th, 2009 at 2:59 am
Great tip especially if we also consider that this season is filled with parties and parties. We do need to burn the calories down.
December 19th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Thanks Elizabeth for the great link (fascinating research and not surprising findings at all. So that’s why my grandmother always fell asleep while knitting!) And I had to laugh out loud at the idea of ODing on serotonin. Sign me up.
I’m guessing we’ll all be having some chocolate. Sort of a reward for the exercise…and yes it does act on neurotransmitters in some way, I’ve heard. I’m going to look into that!
xx wednesday
December 20th, 2009 at 11:23 am
My knitting mentor, Elizabeth Zimmerman, had as her motto: “Knit on, with confidence and hope, through all crises.” I had a tee shirt with those words on it for a while.
My other motto is: “Chocolate: it’s not just for breakfast any more.” Working on Chocolate Panettone this week.
December 21st, 2009 at 8:57 am
Orgasms are definitely a way to boost your serotonin levels! According to studies, when you have an orgasm, your heart rate and blood flow increases. All your muscles tighten and flex and then completely relax after an orgasm, leaving your mind feeling calm and free of worries. All that increased blood flow is also actually good for our organs and circulatory system. It increases the supply of oxygen to our cells and actually stimulates healthy organ functioning, which helps us live longer. Not to mention that good sex with the hubby (or even with yourself) can do wonders for your relationship, which will help not only throughout the holiday season, but all year long! Do a mom/stepmom a favor this year and include a special “toy” in her stocking this year. It’s the gift that keeps on giving! LOL!
Spice it up ladies and have a happy holiday!
*Kela*
http://www.blendedfamilysoapopera.com
December 22nd, 2009 at 10:36 am
Hey thanks for the shout out! I wish I could say that all this exercise is keeping my sanity in tact…but, not so much this week! Maybe I’ll try method #3…;)
January 9th, 2010 at 1:29 am
great post! I have been searching for a new fitness routine in yahoo and I found your blog. I just started a program and I am pretty clueless.
January 9th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Awesome post