Let's talk hormones. 

It's easy to forget that training adds stress to our sometimes stressful lives. First and foremost, we need to manage the best we can the input of stress. All of us experience the ebb and flow of life and at times things get overwhelming. However, if it's not an anomaly but your habits that are keeping you in the red, that needs to be addressed first. Chronic overwork, lack of sleep, and an absence of support will not be remedied by any amount of yoga or mediation. 

Hormones might be something you've given little thought to since you were in middle school, unless you are currently parenting a middle-schooler. However, hormones have numerous implications that affect your daily life as a person and as an athlete. 

Cortisol: Cortisol is a stress hormone. Stress, sleep deprivation, aerobic exercise...all will raise your levels of cortisol. Chronically high levels suppress immune function and are catabolic (eat away at) muscle tissue. All the bad things!

Oxytocin: Oxytocin is a hormone that promotes social connection, bonding, and has an anti-depressive affect. 

The release of oxytocin is triggered in a variety of ways. This release acts against stress hormones, increases our wellbeing, and reprograms our bodies to be happy. Yay! When life gets challenging, be thoughtful about what you can pull out of your toolbox that will help you carry on. 

5 Things that Trigger Oxytocin Release

1. Hug a friend. Interestingly enough, even imagining hugging someone you love releases oxytocin. However, I strongly recommend you go for the real thing. 

2. Pet an animal. Interaction with pets is a mood boosting agent that I first learned about during a persuasive speech by my third-grader. My staff of fact-checkers declare this to be the truth. 

3. Connect. Call or text a friend. Ask for help. Connect. Catch up with friends on Facebook (social media users showed elevated levels of oxytocin).

4. Breathe deeply. I have yet to master the art of mediation (and by master I mean really try at all). I admire my close friend Amy's devotion to her practice. But even taking a few minutes to sit quietly and breathe deeply will be a benefit.

5. Give a gift or make a donation. Better for you, better for someone else, better for everyone. 

To your continued good health,

Laura


TMT Events 7/18/16


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