In our Hypnotherapy sessions we talk about the Importance of Positives to help us move forward. I explain the five Positives and the neurotransmitters that are important to good mental health and Wellbeing.
The Five Positives
Positive Thoughts
Helps us move away from low mood, provides us with greater resistance to illnesses and better psychological and physical wellbeing. The hormones Serotonin and Dopamine are released when we think more positively.
Positive Actions
This can be physical or mindful actions, which can lift your mood. Self-Care can make you feel better about yourself, by releasing the reward neurotransmitter Dopamine and Endorphins.
Positive Interactions
A benefit to you, and the person you’re interacting with. Smiles, kind words, caring, gratitude and meaningful conversations all count! Lots of Oxytocin and Serotonin are released with Positive Interactions.
Positive Purpose
People with a strong sense of purpose live longer. They have healthier hearts, are more confident, happier, and psychologically resilient. Serotonin and Dopamine are the key neurotransmitters released when you have that Purpose in life.
Positive Pleasure
Boosts your immune system, protects your heart, and reduces pain. Due to a reduction in stress, this increases your lifespan. Pleasure increases your productivity, and boosts your creativity. Recognising the Pleasure in the Positives we do, means we have a great all-rounder with Serotonin, Dopamine, Endorphins and Oxytocin being released.
The Neurotransmitters
A neurotransmitter is a natural chemical, hormone, that ferries information between neurons. Making the connections stronger and work more efficiently.
The following neurotransmitters are the key ones associated with the Importance of Positives.
Serotonin
We talk about Serotonin in sessions because it is a key neurotransmitter that stabilises your mood, wellbeing, and happiness. Enabling the brain and nervous system cells to communicate with each other.
It also helps with our sleeping. Serotonin is responsible for stimulating the parts of the brain that control sleep and waking.
Helps with our digestion as it is predominantly produced in the gut. Serotonin is found in your stomach and intestines, and helps control your bowel movements and function.
This hormone impacts the entire body. From, releasing Serotonin to help heal wounds, by helping to form blood clots. To, a good, balanced level strengthens our bones.
Serotonin in the brain helps to regulate our mood, by increasing happiness, and reducing anxiety. If we produce the right levels of Serotonin then we are happy, calm and focused.
Deficiency
When we are deficient in Serotonin we may experience:
- Low mood and self-esteem.
- Be overly anxious with panic attacks.
- Have feelings of hopelessness, and lethargy.
- Shy away from socialising due to anxiety.
- Struggle to sleep.
Ways to produce Serotonin naturally
- Get some fresh air out in nature. I explain more about the benefits of Nature in the Positive Effect of Nature.
- Exercise, walking, swimming, cycling, whatever is manageable, and you enjoy doing.
- Meditating and relaxing. Here is a 5-minute Mindfulness technique for you to try.
- Focusing on positives in life.
- Being social and interacting with others in a positive way.
Dopamine
Dopamine is a natural feel-good neurotransmitter. Contributing to feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and reward.
It boosts our mood, motivation, and attention. Helping with our learning, and ability to plan. Being focused and striving to achieve our goals. When we experience a moment of pleasure, the brain notes this feeling. Dopamine creates a reward loop in the brain, encouraging you to do it again. That feeling increases your goal directed behaviour.
Dopamine is also important for our heart health. Regulating blood pressure and blood vessel function.
Dopamine plays a key role in the way we move. Enabling the connections to the nervous system, to control and co-ordinate smooth, controlled body movements. With Parkinson’s these nerve cells die or become damaged, therefore the amount of Dopamine in the brain is reduced. Resulting in physical movements becoming slow and abnormal, with tremors and stiffness.
Deficiency
- When we are deficient in Dopamine we may experience:
- Procrastination, inability to focus, and lack of motivation.
- Low self-esteem, mood swings, and feelings of hopelessness.
- Low energy and fatigue.
Ways to increase Dopamine naturally
- Eat a wholesome, healthy diet, rich in tyrosine and magnesium, including cheese, meats, fish, dairy, soy, seeds, nuts, soy, beans, lentils, among others. Avoiding processed foods.
- Get enough sleep.
- Set achievable goals. Create a to do list and celebrate the little wins of completing the task.
- Exercise, walking, swimming, cycling, whatever is manageable, and you enjoy doing.
- Meditating, relaxing, Yoga, and Pilates, are stress relieving exercises.
Endorphins
Endorphins are our bodies natural pain killer, working similarly to the class of drugs, opioids. The name Endorphin comes from the words “endogenous,” which means from the body, and “morphine,” an opioid pain reliever.
The natural Endorphins can produce a ‘high’ which are safe and healthy, without the risks of addiction. The release of Endorphins can mask physical pain, and helps combat anxiety and low mood.
We produce the natural high from Endorphins when we are doing Positive Actions and Pleasure.
Deficiency
- When we are deficient in Endorphins we may experience:
- Mood swings, from anxiety to low mood.
- Aches and pains that become a focus.
- Poor sleep patterns, which intensifies the pain.
Ways to produce natural Endorphins
- Regular exercise, walking, swimming, cycling, whatever is manageable, and you enjoy doing.
- Meditation, Yoga, and Pilates, are stress relieving exercises as well as relaxing.
- Laughter, maybe watch a good comedy or think back to a funny moment.
- Giving your time by volunteering not only helps others, it makes you feel good. You get the release of Dopamine too!
- Eat spicy foods, it’s said that the heat triggers a pain sensation in the mouth, which stimulates an increase in Endorphins.
- 70%+ Dark chocolate containing higher levels of cacao boosts our Endorphins. Be careful of added sugars and fats.
Oxytocin
Known as the cuddle/love hormone. This neurotransmitter is important for building trust, sustaining relationships, and has an important role in reproduction. Oxytocin plays an important role in the childbirth process and male reproduction.
Deficiency
- When we are deficient in Oxytocin we may experience:
- We feel lonely, and disconnected from relationships.
- Feeling stressed and anxious.
- Have a lack of motivation, low energy or fatigue.
- Poor sleep, resulting in insomnia.
Ways to boost our Oxytocin levels
- Having physical touch, kissing, hugging or holding hands.
- Having a massage. I am a Beauty and Holistic Therapist too, so take a look at my other treatments on offer.
- Cuddling your pet.
- Socialising with friends, building trust and sustaining relationships with others.
- Meditation, Yoga, and Pilates, are stress relieving exercises as well as relaxing.
Hypnotherapy sessions
During our first session, I always explain the Importance of Positives. We go through many coping techniques to help you recognise the Positives in your life.
Grounding techniques are a wonderful way to experience Positive Pleasure. Have a look at my video on how to do this technique.
Why not try in the evening, to stop, and recall some of the Positives that have happened through your day. Write them down to help you remember and look back on. You still get the same level of feel-good neurotransmitters by bringing the memory back. Each session, I always ask “what has been better this week”.
I give you a recording to listen to which helps you to relax, and process the Importance of Positives from your day.
I am a full member of the AfSFH, NCH and CNHC, fully compliant with all their codes and ethics. I have full public liability am qualified, verified, and fully insured through BABTAC, with an enhanced DBS certificate through the NCH. Please do visit my terms & conditions.
