With all the negativity going on around us today, we all need: no, we all deserve to feel good about something. If you’re having a hard time looking for something to make you feel good, here are a few “hacks” that can help you make the most of the happy hormones in your system:
4 Types of Happy Hormones
Dopamine a.k.a. The Motivational Chemical
Dopamine motivates us to set goals and achieve them. It may be as simple as getting the grocery done or having a SunPower solar panel installer to work on your solar power system, anytime you achieve something, dopamine is the one responsible for making you feel good about yourself.
Oxytocin a.k.a. The Love and Contentment Hormone
Oxytocin is typically associated with feelings of being loved and treasured. It is mostly released when mothers give birth or breastfeed and when people experience orgasm during sex. It creates trust and intimacy, increases fidelity, and builds strong foundations for healthy relationships.
Serotonin a.k.a. The Mood Stabilizer
Serotonin helps improve your mood whenever you feel important or significant. The absence of serotonin leads to loneliness and depression. One of the best ways to release serotonin is to practice gratitude and thankfulness whether you reflect on past significant events or things that make you feel valued.
Endorphins a.k.a. The Pain Reliever
Our body’s natural pain reliever, endorphins, are released to help our bodies deal with pain, stress, anxiety, and depression. Some of the most common ways that endorphins are released into our bodies are exercise, laughter, and having a positive outlook on life.
5 Ways to Hack Those Happy Brain Chemicals
1. Go outside and spend some time in the sun
Increase your serotonin and endorphin levels by taking a few minutes of your day and just spending some time outside under the sun. 10 to 15 minutes of outdoor exposure daily helps boost your body’s endorphin and serotonin levels.
2. Set aside time to exercise
Endorphins are mostly associated with exercise but according to research, setting aside time for exercise daily can also increase your dopamine and serotonin levels. This just proves that exercise is not just food for your physical health but also your mental well-being.
3. Share a good laugh with a pal
Studies have proven that stress and anxiety can cause a lot of sicknesses in a person. While laughter cannot exactly cure any existing physical conditions, it can help alleviate stress and anxiety which helps prevent illnesses. By boosting your dopamine, serotonin, and endorphin levels, laughter also boosts your mood and makes you feel really good about yourself which leaves you feeling more positive about life.
4. Enjoy or create art
There’s just something about creating something so satisfying. Whatever art form it is you’re engaged in: music, dance, visual arts, sculpting, or even your hobbies, engaging in something that allows you to unleash your creativity is a great mood booster that brings up your serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins.
5. Make plans for a romantic evening or getaway
One of the best ways to release oxytocin, the love hormone, into your system is to take your loved one out on a date or a weekend getaway. Simply being attracted to someone is enough to produce oxytocin. if you take it up a notch, like spending quality time with a loved one, cuddling with them, or even having sex, boosts oxytocin production in your body. That’s the hormone that’s responsible for making you feel like you’re on Cloud 9 when you’re in love.
What are some other ways that you hack into your happy hormones to improve your mood? Share them with us in the comments section.
