The science of feeling good - why wellness is about enjoying yourself!

Quoted in Spa Business, she said: "Pleasure is linked to enhanced immunity, resilience and cognitive function", continuing: "so many spa and wellness services already boost feel-good hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, endorphins and oxytocin."

Yet, we often associate looking after our health with unpleasant experiences - feeling hungry, cold water therapies and so forth. While cold therapies can be great for mind, body and soul, from boosting immunity to improving mood - just ask Wim Hof, Bjurstam is right, wellbeing is something to be enjoyed and thoroughly revelled in.

The pleasure of feeling well

So, what happens if we start thinking about taking care of our wellbeing as synonymous with a quest for pleasure? Taking care of our health isn't just about doing stuff we know is good for us - it's also a great way to boost feel-good hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, endorphins and oxytocin. Feeling well and feeling good are inextricably linked - not just superficially, but scientifically as well.

It's rooted in understanding how our brain, emotions, and body interact, drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and physiology to contribute to happiness, satisfaction, and health. For example our brains play a central role in generating feelings of wellbeing thanks to chemicals, or neurotransmitters, that influence our mood and emotional state, including:

Dopamine:

Often referred to as the 'happy hormone', dopamine is involved in reward, motivation, and pleasure. It is released when we experience something pleasurable or achieve a goal, contributing to feelings of satisfaction and happiness.

Serotonin:

Serotonin helps to regulate mood, sleep, and appetite. Higher serotonin levels are associated with feelings of happiness and contentment, while low levels are often linked to conditions like depression.

Endorphins:

These are the body’s natural painkillers and mood boosters. Released during physical activities like exercise or laughter, endorphins help to reduce feelings of stress and increase feelings of wellbeing.

Oxytocin:

Known as the 'love hormone' or 'cuddle chemical', oxytocin is released through social bonding, such as hugging, kissing, or even during acts of kindness (yes, kindness really does make us feel better). It plays a key role in forming relationships and fostering feelings of trust and connection. There's even some research to show that kindness itself has health benefits, from reducing pain perception to lower blood pressure.

Things that contribute to feel-good-factor

Of course, on some level we know that feeling well and feeling good are connected, but that's not quite the same as associating wellness with pleasurable experiences. So, what wellness experiences are also, in the moment, rather than after the fact, about pleasure? Well, the answer is many, but a few spa favourites include:

Exercise

Ok, so not everyone enjoys exercise in the moment but you don't have to do it for long to get the feel-good-factor, and one of the beautiful things about a spa break is the variety of ways in which you can enjoy exercise. Run, walk, swim, gym, it all helps to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while promoting better sleep and cognitive function. A favourite is walking amongst nature, especially with some of the beautiful spa gardens to choose from.

Massage

Massages are the most popular treatment booked on a spa break, and for good reason. We all know it feels nice to get rid of any knots and stiffness in our neck and back, but massages also help the body to release all the feel-good hormones, including oxytocin.

Rest and sleep

Spas are all about rest, and the relaxation rooms in spas are often underestimated for their importance. Usually you're led to them after you've had a spa treatment, at a time when mind and body are totally primed for a good snooze. Most of us know we like sleep, but few of us realise how important it is for feeling good, helping to restore mind and body, regulate hormones, and improve cognitive function. Take advantage of the spa space and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Socialising

Spending time truly connecting with loved ones without doing it through a screen is essential for feel-good factor. Humans are inherently social creatures, and our relationships greatly influence our emotional wellbeing. Positive social connections, such as friendships, family bonds, and romantic relationships, help release oxytocin and dopamine, reinforcing feelings of happiness and emotional security. Spas often prefer you to leave your smartphones in your lockers, so this is the perfect time to connect with friends and loved ones and really enjoy time together.

Mindfulness

A lot of our anxiety comes from worrying about things that aren't happening right now, and mindfulness is all about being present in the moment, accepting one's thoughts and feelings and not getting too caught up in them. Research has shown that mindfulness practices, such as meditation, can reduce stress, improve mood, and increase feelings of joy. You can do that by watching the water lap at the edges of the pool while you relax on a lounger, joining a yoga class, or really getting back into your own body and out of your head with a spa treatment.