Hope Lives in Us – The Science Behind It

Hope is defined as a feeling of expectation, typically with a focus on a positive outcome. Feeling hopeful can be the motivator to move out of a bad situation or space. It’s a powerful emotion that can provide positive life changes with a little bit of focus on the right areas. This includes choosing to concentrate on lifestyle management, which incorporates movement and exercise to your regular routine. Why?

In the U.S., we typically manage our life challenges through psychotherapy and drugs as the primary means of overcoming depression and negative feelings, with actual lifestyle management as an add on. However, exercise is scientifically proven to increase myokines which create positive feelings and emotions. These myokines are known as “hope” molecules and can act as antidepressants.

“Hope” Molecules Can Increase Resiliency

According to research scientist Dr. Rammohan Rao, myokines cross the blood-brain barrier and impact brain function. This means they can potentially increase resiliency to mental stress, reduce symptoms of depression and trauma, and help the body recover from tension.

Our bodies are amazing and often know what we need, if we can quiet our minds and listen. Just understanding that our bodies have “hope” molecules to help us tackle stressful situations is comforting. The question is, how do we activate them and ensure we benefit from our body’s own healing abilities?

Exercise is key, and increases myokines, a protein released by the skeletal muscle cells that link muscles, movement, moods, emotions, and the brain. There are approximately 650 molecules identified belonging to the class of myokines, so most likely there is more than one pathway. It isn’t difficult to activate myokines in your body and receive the benefits.

Get More Hope in Your Life

The good news is increasing movement, exercise and certain activities will prompt your body to release myokines. Exercise is important but does not have to be intense to receive “hope” molecule benefits. In addition, exercise releases dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin.? Find an exercise that is enjoyable and that you will maintain in your busy schedule.? Walking is a great way to improve health and receive benefits. Swimming and dancing are also great ways to increase exercise and can be low impact. Of course, we are big fans of kayak fishing as a low key way to increase movement, which will release more of those amazing “hope” molecules into your system.

If exercise is just not your thing, that is fine. There are other activities that will increase good feelings, including:

• Volunteering or donating to a nonprofit.
• Listening to music.
• Laughing.
• Social connection.

Improve Your Wellbeing with Hopeful Feelings

It’s comforting to know that we can create feelings of hope and positivity in ourselves by focusing on lifestyle management. Just adding regular activities, exercise, and increasing social connections will improve your mood and mental well-being. A bonus is that by supporting others in their lifestyle management and healing journey, you also benefit.

Hope is powerful. Give yourself and others space to experience that feeling and watch the world around you improve.

References:

FHE Health - Chris Foy

Healthnews - Klaudia Balogh