Nutrition Nugget! Bite-sized bonus episodes offer tips, tricks and approachable science. This week, Jenn is talking about Your Face and how the expressions you make while working out might be completely sabotaging your fitness goals. Could clenching your jaw and squinting through that last rep actually be telling your body you're in danger and ramping up your cortisol levels? On the flip side, what if something as simple as smiling or laughing during exercise could rewire your brain to associate movement with joy and reward? Jenn explores the fascinating connection between your facial expressions and your autonomic nervous system—but is forcing a smile during a brutal workout realistic, or will it actually make a difference in how your body responds to exercise? Tune in to find out. Like what you're hearing? Be sure to check out the full-length episodes of new releases every Wednesday. Have an idea for a nutrition nugget? Submit it here:https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/index.php/contact/
KEYWORDS: Jenn Trepeck, Nutrition Nugget, Salad With A Side Of Fries, Health Tips, Wellness Tips, Facial Expressions During Exercise, Exercise And Stress Relief, Autonomic Nervous System, Sympathetic Nervous System, Parasympathetic Nervous System, Fight Or Flight Response, Rest And Digest, Cortisol Levels, Exercise Fatigue, Smiling While Exercising, Dopamine Release, Endorphins, Cranial Nerve Seven, Facial Nerve, Amygdala, Mid Cingulate Cortex, Mind Body Connection, Nervous System Signals, Jaw Clenching, Exercise Struggle, Workout Recovery, Group Fitness Classes, Exercise Motivation, Finding Joy In Movement, Body Movement, Physical Activity, Workout Mindset, Exercise Psychology, Stress Response, Danger Signals To Body, Safety Signals, Brain Programming, Reward Response, Exercise Enjoyment, Running Tips, Half Marathon Training, Exercise Pace, Movement Types, Fitness Instructors, Health Coach, Wellness And Weight Loss, Nutrition And Fitness, Exercise Benefits, How Facial Expressions Affect Exercise Performance And Stress, Smiling During Workouts To Release Endorphins And Reduce Cortisol
Transcripts
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[00:00:28] I hear you, and by the way, it kind of makes me laugh when I say it that way, but specifically your face when you exercise, like the faces that you make when you work out. And I learned this from my colleague, Dr. Millie. So shout out to Dr. Millie Lidle. So anyway, the question is what expression is on your face when you're moving your body?
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[00:01:17] What we do need to know is that what's happening on your face is communicating with the autonomic nervous system. Now, the autonomic nervous system includes both the sympathetic nervous system, our fight or flight, and the parasympathetic that rest and digest. So if your face shows struggle. Maybe we're clenching the jaw, squinting our eyes.
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[00:02:03] Exacerbating the situation or not necessarily getting as much of the benefit as we could if we're always, you know, clenching the jaw and sending those struggle signals. Now on the other hand, smiling or even laughing while you exercise sends signals of safety. They release dopamine and endorphins. And what we also know about the brain is that what fires together, wires together.
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[00:02:54] Or laugh while you do it. And I think it makes the argument too [00:03:00] for finding a type of exercise or activity that you enjoy. And for me, it's why I love group fitness. So this happened the other day actually. I was standing with people I know in a workout class and we laughed throughout the class. We made jokes with the teacher.
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[00:03:36] Because I have been known to do this in class, you know, all my fitness instructors. I love you and you know, I do this and I do it with love. And I will say, I guess I usually laugh when I roll my eyes. So maybe it's part of the positive side, I don't know. But I think it's worth taking note. And I think we can use our facial expressions as [00:04:00] feedback to help us find our pace with different movement.
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[00:04:24] VJ Hamilton: This is great advice. I do love exercise, but I don't love running, but I do like to challenge myself. So I started doing a couple of half marathons. I can't believe I've managed to do it, but I heard this tip. So when I'm running and I'm finding it hard, I smile and honestly. It works.
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[00:04:50] VJ Hamilton: Yeah. Honestly, it has been helping me, but I'm on a break now, so, um, but yeah, I, I find like the way that your face feels and when you [00:05:00] smile, it just, it changes everything, doesn't it?
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[00:05:12] Connect with me on Instagram or all social media. I am at Jenn Trepeck, J-E-N-N-T-R-E-P-E-C-K. Website is a salad with a side of fries.com. Pick your platform, send a message. I love hearing from you, your takeaways, your ideas, your questions. This is also the easiest way to learn more about working with me as your health coach.
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[00:05:35] VJ Hamilton: Yeah, thank you so much. It's been brilliant. I've loved being here.
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[00:05:53] On top of this week's episode, in full video with behind the scenes content. Your 24 7, ask me anything. You'll get this week's [00:06:00] recipe for the Gingery Chicken and Spinach Stir Fry and the Autoimmune Recovery Plan from this week's featured guest, VJ Hamilton. Well friends, that's it for today's episode of Salad for the Side of Fries.
