The 99%* effective stress reliever no one ever talks about is..
Pleasure. Yes really.
Pleasure shifts your brain chemistry
When we feel pleasure the brain releases 4 feel good chemicals: endorphins, oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine.
These overpower cortisol and can significantly shift how you feel. Especially when it comes to feelings like fear, anger and shame.
A pleasurable experience increases blood flow and releases nitric oxide. Which boosts neurotransmitters like beta endorphins. These dull pain and help us deal more effectively with stress.
The pleasure centre of the brain is activated in many different ways (not just the one you’re thinking of). There are also lots of other pleasure-inducing activities that will get you those feel-good chemicals, from dancing to a hot bath, delicious food to organising your space and then enjoying it.
*Note: All sorts of shame and embarrassment can pop up around the idea of pleasure – maybe you’ve felt that discomfort reading this. Women especially are discouraged from exploring pleasure. But don’t let some sh*tty social conditioning stop you accessing this powerful stress defence.
Pleasure as a way to mitigate stress
When stress happens we go down the same old routes trying to solve the problem – thinking and analysing and talking. Why not try something different next time and get into your body through pleasure.
Pleasure actually creates a chemical shift – it’s free, it’s accessible and it has no negative side effects. You can test this for yourself right now.
Prolonged stress is bad for resilience
✨Pleasure ✨ is one way to mitigate stress that few of us tend to reach for.
Seriously, don’t dismiss this because you think I’m just talking about sx and that makes you feel a bit embarrassed.
If you’re stuck in a rut or feel like the same old coping mechanisms just aren’t working for you it’s essential to start doing things differently. Pleasure isn’t just a nice to have, it’s got science behind it too. All those endorphins and oxytocin are often much more powerful than trying to think your way out of a stressed state – they will seriously enhance your mood.
Get clear on what brings you pleasure (yes, THAT but all the other things too) and try introducing some new behaviours and habits when you feel yourself catastrophising, spiralling or getting overwhelmed by stress.
I absolutely love introducing clients to better ways to solve old problems. I guarantee that I’ve got stress strategies you’ve never even thought of yet – and which are way more effective than all the things you’ve already tried.
🌶️ If this has piqued your interest let’s chat – BOOK A FREE 10 MIN INTRO CALL.
