• ^{give someone a hug}
• ^{force a smile}
• ^{step outside}
• ^{take a “woo-SAH” breath}
• ^dance

Give Someone A Hug!

We are all in need of a hug sometimes

Giving a hug, a touch, or even sitting close to someone releases oxytocin. Oxytocin is our love chemical and happy hormone! So we should hug more and be close to those we love around us.

Force a Smile

Hold a pencil in between your teeth if you need. This will force a smile!

 The simple act of smiling- real or not-  actually connects with our brains to bamboozle those happy hormones and make you feel better :) 

Step Outside

I agree with this guy: “Going outside really improves my mood so much”.

And truly there is a lot of science behind how the outdoors- and regular time spent outside- helps with anxiety and depression.

Its like you feel the difference within your body immediately. Have you ever taken a crying baby on the back porch? I bet you they will feel a shift and stop crying- at least for a minute. Happy hormones for all! 

Take a “Woo-SAH” breath

While I first heard it from my partner- I guess the bad boys said it first. Woo Sah: a way to pause and take a deep breath.

But really, listen to Tory Miller, he says “[deep breathing] taps into the brain-body connection and can result in both physical and emotional, long- and short-term benefits by evoking a physical reduction in stress, improved mindfulness, and grounding. With a multitude of breathing techniques, you can find one that works best for you.

Dance

We all have time for a little wiggle.

Dance makes us happy- it really does release those happy hormones and bonus!- Its a great form of exercise (which also makes us happier) :)

Now remember: this is easy. take the time. slow down. breath. dance. love.

^{We have distractions everywhere. In my first attempt to type this my son jumped in my arms and I spoon fed him the rest of my tomato soup- that took some time. But the hugs during this exchange were worth it and it gave me this blog post idea. It was not a waste- and if I were in a rush I would have missed it.}

with love,

Nurse it Back