PLEASURE

Written By vijay sridharan
Pleasure.jpg

Pleasure is a feeling of happy satisfaction, of being pleased. When we do things we enjoy, our brains release neurotransmitters ― especially dopamine, the chemical messenger closely linked to the brain’s reward center. We all experience pleasure uniquely because of differences in neurochemistry, biology, and past experiences.

Inspiration for experiencing more pleasure

  • Watch a funny movie.

  • Do something novel. Take a language class or go sky-diving or explore a neighborhood you don’t know. New experiences release dopamine.

  • Sleep naked. Feel the sensations of soft sheets against your skin.

  • Snuggle with a pet or a person and give yourself and your snuggle-partner a little feel-good oxytocin surge.

  • Have sex, alone or otherwise. Orgasm boosts endorphin levels in the body and flushes cortisol, promoting deep relaxation and pleasure.

  • Create a regular gratitude practice and give focus to all the good. (The Calm 7 Days of Gratitude meditation series is brilliant for getting started.)

Self-reflection

What are five things that bring me pleasure? How can I have more of them, more often?

““Pleasure is the point. Feeling good is not frivolous, it is freedom.”
”
— adrienne maree brown
 
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About Calm Cards 
About Calm Cards 

We created these cards as a way to intentionally cultivate the qualities that support us in showing up for ourselves and others, in ways that feel nourishing and meaningful. 

We encourage you to engage with the Calm Cards in whatever way feels best. Here are a few ways that we love to use them:

  • Pick a card in the morning to set an intention for the day

  • Pick a card on a Sunday to set an intention for the week

  • Pick a card on the first day of the month to set an intention for the month

  • Pick a card when you’re feeling stuck, to see what happens when you infuse more of that quality into your day

  • Pick a card when you’re struggling with another person to explore what qualities might bring more ease into your relationship

  • Pick a card and use it as journaling prompt

  • Pick a card and use it in your meditation practice

  • Pick a card to use with a partner or group — like a book club, but an intention club; connect daily or weekly or monthly and share your experiences

  • Send a card to a friend who may need some inspiration

Check out the entire collection of Calm Intentions here.

Pick another Calm Intentions card here.

We’ve also put all of the cards in a lovely booklet for you to use as a mindfulness tool, a journal full of inspiration for your practice. Download the Calm Intentions Journal here!


vijay sridharan
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