Celebrations have been proven to improve our mental health. Celebrations bring friends, family, and strangers together for a common reason, to encourage unity and happiness! CELEBRATION and HAPPINESS cannot be separated. Celebrating causes a chemical reaction in our brain to occur that leads to better mental health and a more positive mindset. In this episode of IGNITE, we will discuss the importance of celebrating ourselves and the many ways we can do it.
The end of the season is always an exciting time! The team has worked hard, the coaches have put in the time, and everyone is eager to cross the finish line! The 5K is a beautiful time of celebration! There are many cheering friends and family members seen all over the course! The pre-race and post-race activities get everyone pumped and rowdy. You are cheering for your girls! You are celebrating their accomplishments! We have hit the core of Girls on the Run, which is to celebrate each individual spirit, effort, and accomplishment. The reason for this is scientifically backed by brain research involving the correlation between celebrating and a better sense of self.
Celebrations of any size, kind, and depth are proven to release oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins in our brain. These hormones cause chemical reactions to occur in the brain creating positive pathways to deeper self-love, self-confidence, and well-being. These hormones lower cortisol, which is the stress hormone. Celebrations are the kryptonite to stress! The more oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins being released in our brains, the less stress we will feel! The less stress we feel, the more positive mindset we can achieve in life situations. Celebrating is so crucial to our mental health! As volunteers, we have to be celebrated to keep our cups flowing with our goodness. We have to lower our stress to quiet the noise in our head and create space for giving our energy and care. Similar to a smile from a stranger lifting your bad mood, the smallest celebration can improve your mindset and alter your course.
As we approach the 5K and in the midst of all the beautiful celebration chaos- don't forget to celebrate YOU! You have accomplished something just as great as the girls! You volunteered hours away from your family, friends, job, and personal time to empower girls to be their best self. You dedicated priceless energy to the mental health of our future women. Celebrating YOU is different from the 5K celebration or your team’s final practice celebration. Celebrating YOU has YOU as the focal point. YOU are to be celebrated with a basket/bag full of YOUR favorites. YOU are to be celebrated with a few hours of pampering with YOUR self-care rituals. YOU are to be acknowledged with a love note on the mirror or a post-it in your book. Celebrating yourself opens the heart and mind for self-compassion and leads to loving oneself. You know your own love language. You know what fills your cup and brings you joy. As the spring season comes to a close, make a list of YOUR favorites. Complete at least 3-5 items from your list to CELEBRATE your amazingness! Release the oxytocin! Release the dopamine! Release the endorphins! Your brain, body, and spirit deserve it for all the hard work it takes to be YOU!
Shayla A is the Coach Mentor for Girls on the Run Kansas City. Her background comes from the classroom, coaching, day treatment schools, wellness, and advocating for children with special needs. She enjoys empowering and advocating for girls and coaches in every challenge and celebration. Connect with her for support and assistance this season via Leigh Krtec.
BOOK LIST TO CELEBRATE YOURSELF:
Remarkably You! by Pat Zeitlow Miller
I Am Enough by Grace Byers
Celebrate Yourself by Dorothy Corkille Briggs
The Power of Positive Self-Talk by Kim Fredrickson