Most of us dread our annual physical, if we bother scheduling one at all. But Sue can’t wait to head back to her doctor every spring to hear her say things like, “If I didn’t know your diagnosis, I’d never
When she steps out of the doctor’s office now, euphoric can’t even touch her emotional high. It’s the kind that taps deep, spontaneously, and suddenly, like when you finish chores in minutes that you’ve been thinking days about attacking.
How Oola is that? If we could only bottle that stuff to use later… we could take on the world! The next best thing – and we know it from experience – is what sweeps over you when you accomplish those first successful steps down the road to an OolaLife.
Give credit to your brain and its two systems, the limbic and the cortex. While the cortex allows us to override our animal instincts, the limbic is a survival mechanism, releasing feel-good chemicals endorphin, oxytocin, serotonins, and dopamine and, if we’re in danger, cortisol, nature’s built-in alarm system.
Here are a few things you can do to trigger a release of the “feel-good” neurochemicals when you need a euphoric boost!
• Take time each day to rub on some body lotion or face cream. Believe it or not, the massage releases oxytocin, known as the “bonding” chemical. It’s a great way to feel warmer around family and friends. And while most of us know that exercise releases endorphins, did you know that varying your routine and trying new ones boosts the amount released? Triggered by pain, it sends immediate relief when you push the envelope! But don’t overdo it. You want to be fit, not feeling awful. (And this might be a good time to schedule that annual physical.)
• Recognize what’s great about you! What is your strength? What can you do to compensate for your weaknesses? Be proud without flaunting it or expecting others to justify it. Look for ways that you can influence others with what you’re doing right. With the help of your body’s release of serotonin, it will build the self-respect and confidence you’ll need to achieve your OolaGoals.
• About those OolaGoals… take time, each day, to come up with a few things you can do the next day to move you toward realizing your dream. Knowing that the journey to an OolaLife isn’t about a destination but the successes you have along the way, experience the release of dopamine with the completion of each baby step. Just because you haven’t met your goal of losing 50 pounds doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the 20 pounds already gone! In fact, those small victories will create the momentum you need to cross the finish line!
And through it all, always remember …
Be grateful, have faith, and go get your OolaLife!