23/05/2022
https://www.facebook.com/190785404444789/posts/1866804326842880/
The four main “happiness chemicals” are serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins. Each of these plays a vital role in how we as humans experience happiness – with effects ranging from boosting pleasure and satisfaction to controlling stress and anxiety. Our brains already have these neurotransmitters and hormones, so why not try to optimize them?
Here are some simple ways to “hack” these chemicals and make yourself feel good!
🧬 Serotonin: Serotonin (“the mood stabilizer”) is the key hormone that stabilizes our mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness. It is the chemical that helps with sleeping, eating, and digesting. Serotonin also helps reduce depression and regulate anxiety. Some activities you can do to “hack” and boost your Serotonin levels are: 1) Get more sunlight 2) Get good, consistent sleep 3) Get a massage 4) Spend time in nature 5) Meditate, and 6) Exercise regularly (if you are able to; if you are unsure, please consult your doctor first).
🧬 Oxytocin: Oxytocin (often referred to as “the love drug”) is a hormone and neurotransmitter associated with empathy, trust, intimacy, bonding, and relationship-building. It is typically linked to warm, fuzzy feelings has been shown to lower stress and anxiety. If you’re looking to boost your Oxytocin levels, here are some things you can do: 1) Socialize with friends 2) Pet or hug an animal 3) Help others 4) Listen to music 5) Do some yoga, and 6) Physical touch (hold hands, cuddle, kiss, give/get a massage, be intimate with your partner, etc.).
🧬 Dopamine: Dopamine (“the reward chemical”) is a neurotransmitter produced by the hypothalamus, a small region of the brain that helps you feel pleasure. It is strongly associated with pleasure and reward and also helps with movement and motivation. Essentially, dopamine is released when your brain is expecting a reward – mere anticipation may be enough to raise your dopamine levels. It could be anything that you enjoy – but here are some things we recommend to hack your dopamine levels: 1) Drink coffee (Research shows that caffeine increases the release of dopamine in the brain) 2) Eat lots of protein 3) Try acupuncture 4) Cold exposure – take a cold shower each day, or go outside in the cold 5) Cut down on your sugar intake 6) Remove stressors from your life (of course there will be things out of your control, but whatever you can remove from your life will help. Stress causes low dopamine levels.)
🧬 Endorphin: Endorphins make us feel good! Often called “the pain killer,” endorphins are chemicals produced by the body to relieve stress and pain. These chemicals help us manage pain and stress while also creating positive feelings! Endorphins allow our bodies to respond appropriately when we are faced with pain, and they also help us manage anxiety, depression, and other mood-related issues. Are you looking to boost your endorphins? Here are some things we recommend! 1) Exercise (group workouts can lead to the release of endorphins outside of just physical exertion – i.e., laughing, helping/talking to others, dancing) 2) Laugh often 3) Eat fruits (like strawberries, oranges, and grapes) 4) Snack on dark chocolate 5) Create music or art, and 6) Smell lavender!
What do you like to do to hack your happiness chemicals? Tell us in the comments!
