Summer hits full stride in July, when the sun supervises us with long days filled with family, friends, and the great outdoors. The July calendar comes ready-made with opportunities to improve our sleep, movement, nutrition, and overall mental well-being. Warning: Nerdy brain science ahead! Our bodies and brains can release many feel-good chemicals if we choose to tap into them. A few of our favorites are serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin. Serotonin is great for improving mood and sleep, while dopamine offers pain relief, happiness, and focus. Endorphins also offer pain relief and an overall calming effect, while oxytocin, the love hormone, is associated with feeling connected to and trusting others.

Events like the weekly Farmer’s Market not only provide fresh, local produce to fuel our fire, but also furnish a venue for socializing and walking outside which increases serotonin levels therefore boosting our mood! In addition, interacting with our awesome community and catching up with old friends releases oxytocin making us feel connected.

Have you ever wondered why you sleep so well under the stars? Camping just two nights improves your sleep cycle by providing a break from artificial light.  Additionally, enjoying some awe-inspiring mountain views raises oxytocin levels.  Maybe you are brave enough to undergo a cold-water blast from taking a dip in a cool lake or river.  This can cause a 2–4-hour release of dopamine into your system.  There are so many opportunities for wellness in the mountains!

From a 10-minute walk at lunch to working out at the city pool to bagging peaks and logging miles, intentional movement is a great way to release serotonin.  There are numerous ways for all of us in Park County to increase our feel-good chemicals this summer.  Dip your toe into wellness this July and start building momentum towards year-round wellness, one activity at a time!

                                                                                                            -Lexi Klawitter, DPT