Goodness gracious, the timing of 2024’s Check Your Mood Day coincides with our non-trivial event approaching on Tuesday, November 5th.
You may have seen or read about Election Stressors and the capacity of “right” exercise to abate the emotions and fight or flight responses to such uncomfortable times in our Republic.
We are stressed about how we got to here, and where our Republic is headed as the challenged leader of the world community.
This is a time like no other to breathe mindfully – SOS – as this Men’s Health image suggests:
Credit Men’s Health
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Business Wire just reported that 3/4ths of Americans are not happy campers in these trying pre-election days. Oy. These anxious moments will likely extend past Election Tuesday 🙁
Yet some de-stressors ARE in our power,
“…those who exercise more than three times per week are 34% more likely to feel in control of their stress during this election period. Whether it’s vigorous weightlifting, calming yoga or simply taking a walk, physical activity is a proven remedy for anxiety.”
This is a perfect time to make your happy hormones rise and shine while dimming your Cortisol and adrenal flows:
Oxytocin? Hug, hum, and get frisky.
Dopamine? Get social. Group sports are fine times to blow off steam from the news. An EoS Fitness leader mentioned in that Business Wire post that, ““Sharing the {exercise} experience with others helps build connections, which is incredibly powerful for mental well-being and stress management.” Amen to that pickleball call to action!
Endorphins? Get a runner’s high instead of a poll-watching low.
Serotonin? Get sunlight and a soothing massage. Pull weeds in your garden. Move to sweat. Get restorative sleep every night (and grab nappucinos too.) This little messenger, Serotonin, is your natural anti-depressant.
There is no better time to raise your heart rate variability [HRV] – meaning that your feed and restore systems are fighting back and winning.
With simple yet hard words, Baptist Health summarizesten (10) doable DOs to get you across this electoral Bridge over Troubled Waters:
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat dopamine-boosting foods – focusing on complete protein, and one key amoino acid called tyrosine.
- Reduce saturated fat consumption as lip[ids from full-fat dairy, butter, animal fat, palm oil, and coconut oil can disrupt dopamine signaling.
- Pay attention to “gut health” = remembering to add fermented foods and pre- / probiotics.
- Get enough sleep for your chronotype‘s normal wakefulness and sleepiness.
- Meditate and Breathe, baby!
- Get appropriate sunlight.
- Listen to music you enjoy and HUM for a ‘lil rush.
- Thanks to Baptist Health for this healthy reminder, “other activities like sex, smelling freshly baked cookies, and shopping—in moderation—can cause your rewarding “dopamine rush.”
- Talk with your doctor about supplements. Your body needs adequate amounts of several vitamins to create dopamine — iron, vitamin B6, niacin, and others.
Each of your days is a personal Election Day for Good Choices and a diurnal chance to whip anxiety.
As I closed in STRONG TO SAVE, I Got a Feeling!
Crediting both the Beatles and the Black-Eyed Peas – yes you can make tonight a GOOD GOOD Night!
You have my independent and sincere vote wityhout hanging chads.
DF