People are beginning to understand the power of their own bodies and are finding ways to encourage and boost their happy hormones. The result of this is they’ll be more likely to feel the natural highs in life. When they do, they’ll reach more of a balance which will undoubtedly improve the way they feel.
How are your happy hormones feeling today? If they’re balanced, you should be feeling a natural flood of joy, pleasure and positivity. But if that doesn’t sound familiar and instead you’ve been feeling tired, restless or anxious recently, this is your sign to take back control of your body.
The term Happy Hormones might be new to some of our readers. Therefore, what follows is a brief overview highlighting the main ones and how they make you feel:
The main happy hormones are Oxytocin (for pleasure and love), endorphins (for a natural high and pain relief), Dopamine (for energy), Serotonin (for calmness and serenity) and our personal favourite, Endocannabinoids, also known as the Bliss Molecule.
All of these need some form of encouragement, whether it be through meeting with friends, meditation, some exercise, a massage or aromatherapy. Spas are a good place to help build and unleash your Happy Hormones, and below are some packages and activities that should help you rediscover your balance.
To increase Oxytocin (for pleasure and love):
Titanic Spa, Yorkshire: Decleor Vanilla and Ylang Ylang Relaxation Body Wrap
Often referred to as the ‘love hormone’, Oxytocin promotes intimacy, boosts libido and increases energy levels. If you’re lacking these and need a bit more romance in your life, try this Decleor Vanilla and Ylang Ylang Relaxation Body Wrap at Titanic Spa, which is sure to release that much-needed Oxytocin in your body.
Designed to improve overall emotional wellbeing, this cocooning treatment relieves stress, unloads busy thoughts and reduces tension built up in the body.
Widely used as an aphrodisiac, Ylang Ylang encourages people to relax, get out of their own heads and tune into their body’s needs. The soothing vanilla and brightening papaya in this warming wrap will also leave the skin feeling satin-smooth.
If you prefer to get your romance flowing alongside someone else, Titanic Spa also offers a 25-minute Heat & Ice Experience inspired by ancient Egyptian bathing. Couples can enter the Mud Chamber, where they will apply organic mud to each other’s body and face to exfoliate and nourish before heading into the herbal tropical rain shower, which opens pores and draws out impurities.
With no therapist required, this private experience promotes human touch & sensuality and is sure to send oxytocin levels through the roof.
Wave Garden Spa, Snowdonia: Couples Mood Enhancing Splash
Quite the alternative date activity, this Couples Mood Enhancing Splash at Wave Garden Spa allows partners to get their happy hormone groove back on track together. What better way to connect deeply with a loved one than an ultra-relaxing day together?
Featuring a couples massage, salt splash treatment and spa access, this package encourages couples to seek out a mutual boost of Oxytocin in a sensual way. It leaves both feeling clean, smooth and overall euphoric. If you’d prefer to date yourself, this package is available for one.
To increase Endorphins (for a natural high and pain relief):
The Spa at Carden, Cheshire: Vertigo
Ideal for some thrill-seeking endorphin-releasing excitement, this pulse-racing high rope course offers two terrifying levels of white-knuckle adventure for all abilities. Both courses take guests on an exciting two-hour experience, with the promise of 10 mid-air obstacles to challenge every guest—the more difficult and longer course of the two ends at the top of a ten-metre tower. Here true bravery is tested as guests launch themselves onto a giant stunt pillow.
They can then return to ground level via an exhilarating dual 210m zip line. But those who are brave enough to tackle their way to the top will be sure to forget their fears when they’re rewarded with never-seen-before views over the Carden Park Estate across the on-site Vineyard (plus endorphins they’ve never felt before).
To increase Dopamine (for Energy):
Moddershall Oaks, Staffordshire: MADE wellness centre
Who needs a hit of Dopamine? Look no further than Moddershall Oaks’ MADE wellness centre. Their state-of-the-art immersive spin class, Psychoride, is an energetic mix of strength and speed. Intensely sweat-inducing, this indoor cycling class helps people to beat stress, boost blood flow and feel all round positive. The dark ambience of the room with colour changing lighting sets the scene while the blasting tunes promote motivation.
Alternatively, Get Lit is gentler on the body but effectively does the same thing without pressuring the joints. While HIIT is renowned for burning calories, this HILIT (high-intensity low impact training) session gets your heart to a fat-burning zone with a greater focus on mobility. Expect structured cardio, fat burning exercises and a serious rush of Dopamine. And if you can’t get there for your dopamine fix in person, don’t worry. MADE offer online classes, too, so you can access them from anywhere!
To increase Serotonin (for calmness and serenity):
Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa, Lake District: Forest Bathing package
If you’ve been feeling lethargic, generally low or craving more junk food than normal, your serotonin levels might be dipping. With breathwork, being in dirt, and natural light all proved to heighten your Serotonin, Armathwaite Hall’s Forest Bathing Package is ideal for balancing the body’s hormones. Designed to soothe emotional regulation, guests are invited to slow down and explore nature’s sensory & mindful elements.
Led by one of the hotel’s accredited forest bathing guides, the session sees guests leave their worries behind and return feeling rejuvenated, renewed and, of course, deeply relaxed. With vitamin D proven to help soar serotonin levels, this package is even more beneficial when the sun is shining!
Rena Spa at Midland, Manchester: Caudalie City Living
From the sleep chambers and hanging pod cocoons to the relaxing spa treatments, Rena Spa at Midland is ideal for those in search of some serotonin. Helping people to find calm in the chaos, this city spa is surprisingly tranquil.
After a busy day, people can calm their mind and body with the Caudalie City Living ritual, which helps to soothe the legs and back. Starting with a body cleanse, exfoliation and deep tissue back massage, this treatment also applies a nourishing mask to the back and legs to revitalise muscles and relieve tension. Guaranteed to help them sleep better, guests can put the results to the test with a visit to the spas floating sleep pods and enjoy a deep rest before heading back to normality.
The Spa at Bedford Lodge, Newmarket: Deeply Relaxing Lavender Floatation
An intense treatment to relax both the mind and body, this lavender floatation will help stabilise moods, regulate sleep quality and improve blood circulation. Beginning with a skin-softening body exfoliation combined with essential oils, followed by a nourishing, healing lavender body wrap, the skin will be left soft and supple while Serotonin runs through the body. Guests can simply relax in the warmth of this dry floatation as they gently drift away into a state of tranquillity.
Understanding more about how your body works and ways to build and let loose your Happy Hormones will undoubtedly have a positive impact on your life. The Happy hormone we haven’t focused on in this guide are the Endocannabinoids, (Bliss Molecule), this one we’ll leave up to you.
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