Spring Break
Storrs Singles Singled Out
Aly Shea
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Focus
Students who think they're the only people without a significant other today can take comfort in the fact that, according to cnnmoney.com, more than 70 percent of the 14,300 people who live in Storrs are single - the fourth-highest percentage in the country. And on Singles' Awareness Day (appropriately abbreviated S.A.D.), where happy couples are expected to celebrate their love for each other and singles expected to despair in their single-ness, cheer up! For singles, it can be just another Thursday and there are plenty of legal ways to get that happy feeling, even without a significant other.
Exercising
"Exercise in general increases self-esteem, which is a great way to plug it, but there's always the endorphins, too," said Amy Pumerantz, the nutrition coordinator with Student Health Services.
Students who like to exercise with friends can try Bodywise classes to exercise in groups or can go to the gym with friends.
But going to the gym once in a blue moon won't be enough to give you the happy feeling of endorphins all the time.
"Exercise shouldn't be a one-time-only thing," Pumerantz said. She added that recent research is saying that exercise shouldn't just be cardio or weight training - both should be incorporated to maximize its benefits.
Eating "good" foods
While MedicineNet.com lists spicy food such as chili peppers and chocolate as foods that can boost your endorphins, Pumerantz said that there is no "magical food."
However, the spicy food thing is spot-on. Capsaicin, a component in chili peppers, releases B-endorphins, Pumerantz said. But chocolate isn't quite the same.
"We plug dark chocolate, in moderation, because of its antioxidant quality, which is better for heart health," Pumerantz said. "It doesn't mean eating a whole bag every day, but it's where chocolate got its great reputation."
As for the good feelings that come with chocolate, Pumerantz isn't so sure.
We're usually craving those comfort foods when our moods are low and we're looking for increased mood from that, so initially there will be that added benefit, but unfortunately it will keep our stress hormones elevated, which is what we don't want.
Exercising
"Exercise in general increases self-esteem, which is a great way to plug it, but there's always the endorphins, too," said Amy Pumerantz, the nutrition coordinator with Student Health Services.
Students who like to exercise with friends can try Bodywise classes to exercise in groups or can go to the gym with friends.
But going to the gym once in a blue moon won't be enough to give you the happy feeling of endorphins all the time.
"Exercise shouldn't be a one-time-only thing," Pumerantz said. She added that recent research is saying that exercise shouldn't just be cardio or weight training - both should be incorporated to maximize its benefits.
Eating "good" foods
While MedicineNet.com lists spicy food such as chili peppers and chocolate as foods that can boost your endorphins, Pumerantz said that there is no "magical food."
However, the spicy food thing is spot-on. Capsaicin, a component in chili peppers, releases B-endorphins, Pumerantz said. But chocolate isn't quite the same.
"We plug dark chocolate, in moderation, because of its antioxidant quality, which is better for heart health," Pumerantz said. "It doesn't mean eating a whole bag every day, but it's where chocolate got its great reputation."
As for the good feelings that come with chocolate, Pumerantz isn't so sure.
We're usually craving those comfort foods when our moods are low and we're looking for increased mood from that, so initially there will be that added benefit, but unfortunately it will keep our stress hormones elevated, which is what we don't want.
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