The miracle of endorphins

Media release

7 February 2009

Visit: www.expectamiracle.com

Endorphins are the chemicals produced naturally by the body that decrease stress hormones.

They are the body’s natural feel good chemicals, and when they are released through exercise, your mood is boosted naturally.

During exercise, these endorphins are released, and this can produce feelings of euphoria and a general state of wellbeing. The endorphins produced can be so powerful that they actually mask pain.

Physically active people recover from mild depression more quickly and physical activity is strongly correlated with good mental health as people age.

Smiling and laughter are also activities that produce the release of endorphins in the body. A movie, a good joke, a book with fun stories or leading a life where you smile a lot produces a good supply of endorphins that enhance your health.
Australian Chiropractor, Dr John Hinwood, is a strong supporter of the power of the body’s natural capacity to heal itself.
For the past 21 years Dr Hinwood has been on a mission to educate everyone he meets about the power of expectation around mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health.
The thinking goes like this: most of us in our various lives are conditioned to expect the worst but the simple of act of expecting the best (a miracle) can be enough to turn around the lives of people for the better.
John has a unique way of communicating his message. For the past 21 years he has been handing out a small white card to just about everyone he meets. The card has just three words written on it:  “Expect a Miracle”
Last Christmas marked the 21^st anniversary of his crusade. He estimates he has handed out almost 70,000 cards.

John is a crusader for a better life for people. He believes that most people are not aware of the opportunities in their lives.

John and wife, Judy were awarded the International Humanitarian Award from the prestigious Parker Seminars of Dallas, Texas USA last year. Judy is also a chiropractor and the Hinwoods live at Casuarina Beach near the NSW/Queensland border.

“I have witnessed great changes in people after they receive this card. The words alone put people in a state of expecting the best and they start to notice small miracles such as their baby smiling or a friendly gesture by a complete stranger,” said John.

“It has been scientifically proven that the power of intention can and does change lives. The key is to have good and big intentions. Everyone should expect a miracle every day.”

The Australian edition of John’s book, You Can Expect A Miracle has just been released. In it are chronicled extraordinary, believe-it-or-not miracles that those who have received his cards have experienced. The book was released in the United States in September and is receiving rave reviews on Amazon.com

John is a great example of the power of miracles. He was a bad stutterer and also suffered from dyslexia as a child he and his parents were told by school guidance officers that the best he should aspire to was a job as a postal clerk. He overcame his learning difficulties, won a scholarship to study physical education at Sydney Teachers’ College, completed a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree and went on to establish one of Australia’s most successful chiropractic practices.

In his personal life he and Judy adopted three older illiterate and emotionally damaged children from Chile in 1985. The children are all in 30s now and leading wonderful lives. In 1998 the Hinwoods returned to Chile and helped their kids find their biological family including their separated parents.

For eight years he was President of the Australian Spinal Research Foundation, and is a Fellow of the International College of Chiropractors, a Fellow of the Australasian College of Chiropractors and a Fellow of The Australian Institute of Management, one of few health professionals to gain the distinction.  He has had papers published academic journals and was once captain/coach of the Danish National Rugby Team.

The 62-year-old’s crusade to change peoples’ lives comes from his many observations through his practice and mentoring and coaching business that people go through life expecting the worst, create what they believe and miss out on wonderful opportunities.

“Henry David Thoreau said most people lead lives of quiet desperation. They want more from life but don’t know how to get it. People need to believe they are worthy of a miracle and that miracles large and small can happen to any one of us at any time,” says Dr Hinwood.

Dr Hinwood’s own experience with miracles include a dramatic escape from a gun pointing hijacker in the Congo and weeks later from a freak blizzard near the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.

Types of Exercise to Release Endorphins

The best type of exercise for improving your mood is cardiovascular exercises and aerobics.  This is because vigorous exercise helps to release the chemicals necessary for the mood-raising high.  Yoga and Pilates are also great as it reduces tension and stress while improving the mood.  It focuses on stretching, breathing, and motion that release negative emotions in the body.

How long do you need to Exercise to Feel the Benefit?

Even if you only exercise for a short period of time, your mood will be improved.  Just ten minutes of moderate exercise is enough to improve your mood, your vigour and also decrease fatigue.  However, to obtain all the benefits from exercise, not just the mood improving aspects, you should do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day.

To arrange an interview with Dr John Hinwood or someone profiled in his book, You Can Expect a Miracle, contact Michael Walls (EAM media and publicity) on: +61 (0)407 783 413 or email: wallburg@bigpond.net.au.

Visit the website at: www.expectamiracle.com