SEROTONIN

SEROTONIN

Journalist  Almudena Guerrero in her article “Serotonin and wellness” states that serotonin are neurotransmitters that are placed in several regions of the central nerve system and have a lot to do with the state of spirits.

Serotonin has, among other functions, to regulate the appetite, balance the sexual desire, control the body temperature. Also takes part with the states related to anguish, anxiety, fear and aggressiveness; another function is acting as an inner clock which determines our sleeping and wakefulness cycles.

The practice of relaxation, meditation techniques, doing some regular exercise, open air life, walking, doing new things, starting new projects, help for the serotonin increasing.

I must add that the practice of a martial art also increases the serotonin. To this is contributing the practice of stretching and breathing exercises from the Junan Taiso. Moreover, the good state of spirits held during the trainings, the development of empathy and the self knowledge through continued practice helps in a big manner to have a relaxed mind and a happy heart.

In Hatsumi Sensei´s book “The Modern Ninja” (Seigan Editions, 2005) give us advice with an exercise series that contribute for that. In the same book he writes “The fact of eating corresponds to the medicine needed for living” … “The ninja, in his daily diet, used to have rice, tofu, vegetables, herbs, sesame, dry plums and dry miso soup”. “This diet helps to recover oneself not only physically but psychically”.

Continuing with Almudena Guerrero´s article she states that tryptophan is the precursor of serotonin. This essential amino acid which is the one that is able to cross through the cerebral barriers, cannot be produced by the organism itself, so it must be obtained through food. They are rich in tryptophan pasta, rice, cereals, milk, eggs, soya, chicken, turkey, cheese, banana and grains.

There is a Chinese poem called SHI SOU CHANG SHOU GE (I sing to the Ten Old Men to the Great Longevity), which could be considered as the decalogue to preserve health:

<One day a traveler met with ten old men.

Though they were more than one hundred years old, all of them were full of vigor.

<With gravity and sincerity, he asked for the key of their longevity.

<The first one, touching his beard, said: “I never drink neither smoke”.

The second one, smiling, continued: “I go for a walk after every meal”.

<The third one declared, bending himself: “I follow a vegetarian diet”.

<!The fourth one, with a stick in his hand, said: “I prefer walking than having a carriage”.

<The fifth one, pulling his sleeves up, declared: “I always do physical work”.

<The sixth one, adopting a Yin/Yang posture, added: “I practice Tai Ji Quan daily”.

<The seventh one, rubbing his big nose, said: “I leave my windows opened to get fresh air”.

The eighth one, stretching his short beard, declared: “I go to sleep and wake up early”.

The ninth one, stroking his cheeks, declared: “I avoid burning my skin from the sun”.

<!The tenth one, flattening his long eyebrows, added: “I take care of myself from any worry”.

Hugs,

Pedro Fleitas, unryu (clouds dragon).

(Thanks to Shihan Richard Atik for his translation)