Dopamine - How to feel good

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Let's chat about dopamine – the friendly neurotransmitter that plays a big role in keeping our moods in check and our emotions stable. Think of it as your brain's little mood booster!

Having the right amount of dopamine floating around can really amp up your productivity levels, making it easier to stay motivated and focused on whatever tasks you've got on your plate. Plus, it's like a super fuel for your brain, helping out with memory and keeping your cognitive abilities sharp.

Having too much or too little dopamine can throw things off balance, potentially leading to issues like depression or attention deficits. That's why it's super important to aim for a healthy dose of dopamine in your life.

So, how do you keep those dopamine levels in check?

First up, there's exercise – it's like a dopamine party for your brain! Whether you’re getting sweaty in Strength & Conditioning, sliding and gliding in Reformer or stretching it out in Yoga, moving your body is a great way boost those happy chemicals.

Then, there's your environment and what you eat – we are always told that what you eat has a great effect on our mood but did you know that eating dark chocolate and spicy dishes can boost our dopamine levels? If you’re ever in need of a helping hand on foods to eat to fuel your body, be sure to check our Nutrition Coaching, where you can get 1-1 guidance and help with understanding nutrients and maintaining a healthy and balanced diet.

Don't forget to give yourself some well-deserved rest and recovery time. If you're ever in need of some R&R, we've got you covered at Virgin Active, whether that’s spending time in the spa or treating yourself to some me time over a coffee. It's all part of the dopamine-balancing act!

Ready for your next workout? Check out all the group exercise classes available at Virgin Active.

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