Release Your Happy Hormones!
Hi There,
I woke up one morning last week to Eve’s voice yelling in my brain. I found this strange, as I went to bed the night before quite content. It was as if she crawled into bed right before I opened my eyes and started to rip me apart.
It occurred to me then that Eve, my inner critic, is with me every morning to some extent. And she’s consistent in her messaging: “You didn’t do enough this week. You wasted time yesterday. You embarrassed yourself when you said xyz.”
Eve has a way of finding and magnifying every negative thought, action and omission I commit.
Since she was more relentless than usual that morning, I mentioned the experience during one of my mastermind sessions. Funny enough, each participant had a similar story. Our inner critics are with us when we open our eyes to each new day!
At one point, Lisa was sharing her inner dialogue about being lazy. This in itself was hilarious, coming from one of the most driven people I know. She reminded me of a fact I’d recently learned: Cortisol levels are found to be highest in the morning.
Wow! This connection between cortisol and negative thoughts got me curious.
I began to wonder which comes first— elevated cortisol or the presence of the inner critic? After all, when we start telling ourselves nonsense about being unproductive, wasting time, etc., it alerts the amygdala to threat. This results in the release of cortisol.
But then again, when we are in a cortisol-induced brain fog, we don’t see clearly. Cortisol, nicknamed “the stress hormone”, literally impedes brain function. We become myopic. Our world gets smaller. We lose perspective and the ability to see the big picture.
I know from experience, when I’m in states of stress, that it’s easier for Eve to get the better of me. Coupling this self-knowledge with the fact that cortisol is highest in the morning, I can chemically counterbalance the cortisol with a handy hit of “happy hormones”.
Here are three ways you can inspire these hormones and settle down your inner critic each morning:
• Be playful and laugh at her. “Wow! It didn’t take long for you to pipe in.” This releases dopamine and endorphins.
• Kick your gratitude practice into gear. This releases dopamine and serotonin.
• Hug your dog or kitty. This type of affection is a great way to boost oxytocin levels for you and your pet.
Here’s to a great new start to your day!
Cheers!
-Deborah
Deborah Goldstein
DRIVEN Professionals / Forbes / Linkedin
info@drivenpros.com | LinkedIn
DRIVEN Professionals, 35 Adrienne Lane, Garrison, NY 10524