February may be the shortest month of the year, but it is packed with important events and deadlines. Alongside Valentine’s Day—a celebration of the chemistry of oxytocin and dopamine—ACS local sections are also hard at work preparing annual reports that highlight the past year’s accomplishments and financial stewardship.
As I work on the annual report, I plan to reward myself with a classic Valentine’s Day treat: dark chocolate. Beyond being delicious, chocolate is often associated with a few potential health benefits, including increased endorphin production that promotes a sense of well-being, improved blood flow to the brain that may support cognitive function, and magnesium content that can help reduce stress by moderating cortisol release.
Here’s to making the most of February—deadlines, discoveries, and a little chocolate included.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie McClure
