By Penelope A. Domogo, MD
Everyone wants to feel good. Don’t you think so, too? It’s human nature to seek what is pleasant and avoid pain. I am sure animals have that nature, too. It’s a survival mechanism. Although, sometimes I think some people just want to feel bad and be mean.
We do what makes us feel good – being with family, eating, talking/not talking, walking, writing, reading, biking, etc, and avoiding what makes us feel bad – like seeing the doctor. Some people see me and suddenly their smile goes away and they turn somber and ask “Doktora, may I ask something? What medicine should I take as I have this pain here (or there)?” Awww, it seems we, doctors, take the joy away from people and instead, we bring out their unpleasant feelings. This is why some people I know don’t like to consult a doctor.
Did you know that there are hormones or chemicals in our bodies that make us feel good? Apparently, our intangible feelings of happiness are governed by some tangible matter running in our bloodstream called endorphins, serotonins, etc. – the happy hormones. Apparently, our Creator included some chemicals inside our bodies which, according to researches, increase when we are happy and decrease when we are sad.
The word “endorphins” come from two words – “endogenous” meaning from within the body and “morphine”, the powerful pain reliever that is abused for the sake of feeling good. Endorphins are our natural pain relievers & happiness boosters. They are right inside our bodies. They are produced in the brain. And since they are natural in our bodies, our bodies know best when to release them. Nicole Stevenson in her article “Nature’s Own: The Feel Good Hormone” says “ A perfect example of the human body taking care of itself is during childbirth. A woman goes through excruciating pain during labor and delivery, yet many women are able to experience all of the highs and lows without the aid of drugs. “Natural childbirth” leaves the regulation to the body’s own painkillers, endorphins. These natural hormone levels rise during active labor contractions and reach their highest peak immediately following delivery. This explains the way that a mother, right out of delivery is able to forgo sleep and care for her infant, following such a draining experience.” See, I told you, the more we know how our bodies work, the more we believe in a loving Creator.
How can we increase these “feel good” hormones in our bodies? Exercise or good physical activity has been shown to cause the release of these hormones. This explains the natural high that one feels after you have climbed Mt. Pulag or Mt. Kalugong or after you have finished a ton of laundry. A climb to Mt. Polis would give you a happy feeling that will last for days or perhaps even months and would be recalled time and again. Just thinking about it, which can be triggered if you see your picture, can also release these happy hormones. Isn’t that so loving of our Creator to design us that way?
When you are stressed or sad, don’t reach out immediately for that chocolate or candy. Try walking (better do it outside, in nature) and you will feel better. Try scrubbing the floor vigorously and your anger will be spent. Of course, this will be temporary if the root cause of your bad feeling is not addressed. So if you are feeling blue because your parents didn’t grant your wish, then you have to work this out with yourself and/or with your parents, aside from doing housework or walking.
Aside from enough physical activity, you need sunlight and dark nights to release the happy hormones. It’s how we are designed. So imagine how unhappy we have become because government told us to stay home. How many suns have we missed? Sadness is not just a feeling- it has damaging effects on our health if prolonged. Nine months of lockdown is prolonged. With anxiety, that is double jeopardy. I suggest that at this point, government should just tell us to avoid crowding and avoid crowded places, not stay home.
Another thing, though, even if these hormones are released in your blood if your blood cannot flow freely because of too much sugar and fat, then they won’t be able to work optimally. Or if your blood vessels are clogged by these gluey foods, then these happy hormones won’t reach their destination. It’s Christmas- the season to celebrate God’s love, manifested in Jesus’ birth. Thanks to covid, we are restrained in our partying with others or throwing parties. We are saved from overeating those sweet, meaty, eggy fatty foods. This gifts us with more time to focus on releasing our happy hormones and to focus on the reason for the season- as that is the main reason why we should be happy every day, anyday! Merry Christmas, everyone!**
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
