Endorphin Alert

Stardate 05.10.2026

Before I get too deep into today’s topic, I want to pause and wish all the moms a Happy Mother’s Day.

Since I know my mom reads these stories each morning, this feels like the right place to share her gift.

Mom, your next order of your favorite NMN is on me.

This gift carries a little self-interest. We all want you here with us for a long time, and your supplements are part of how you care for yourself so well. Happy Mother’s Day to you.

Now, on to one of my favorite subjects: endorphins.

You know when they’re present. You feel lighter. Clearer. More at ease in your own skin. You also know when they’re missing. Something feels off, and it’s hard to name.

I pay close attention to the habits that keep mine steady. If you suspect yours are running low, here’s a short checklist that has made a difference for me.

1. Get grounded
Shoes and socks off. Fifteen minutes outside each day. Grass, dirt, concrete, it all works. Cloudy days count. I feel a shift almost immediately when my feet touch the earth. This one has become part of my daily rhythm.

2. Burn fat instead of sugar
This has been a long experiment for me. When I eat in a way that keeps my blood sugar steady, my mood stays steady too. Hunger doesn’t bark at me every couple of hours. My mind feels calmer. The reward is subtle and lasting.

3. Step into the shower before the hot water arrives
I’ll admit this takes resolve. Those first seconds wake up every nerve ending. What follows is a rush that carries me for hours. It’s one of the most reliable ways I know to change my internal state quickly.

4. Greet the morning sun
This is best done outside. Even better if your feet happen to be bare. Morning light sets the tone for the rest of the day and helps your body find its natural rhythm. When I miss this because I’m deep in writing, I notice the difference.

5. Spend time with happy people
Today is for our moms, and mine happens to be one of the happiest people I know. I share her with five siblings, all of us benefiting from the same joyful spirit. She gives me walking reports like a field correspondent. How many hills she climbed. Which street she was on. Who she met along the way. I can feel my mood lift just hearing her voice.

There’s one more thought for those who carry complicated memories or grief today.

Some have lost their mother. Some carry wounds that never quite healed. I watched our family come close to losing my mom when she was in intensive care with a lung infection that stole her breath. That memory still sits close to the surface.

Here is a gentle invitation.

Take five minutes today and forgive your mother for anything that still hurts. You don’t have to say it out loud. You don’t have to explain it to anyone. Just release it.

There may be tears. Let them come.

Peace often follows.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32

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🖖 Captain’s Addendum

Spock tilted his head. “Captain, emotional equilibrium appears linked to your outdoor rituals.”

Bones folded his arms. “I’d say the Captain just knows how to take care of himself.”

I smiled at both of them. Small daily habits carry more weight than we think. A few minutes here and there can change the entire tone of a day.

Grateful for another morning. Grateful for moms. Grateful for the chance to feel good in this body and share the journey with you.

May you live long and prosper.