What are happiness chemicals? To put it shortly, they are chemicals in the brain that help you to stay balanced and happy! Our bodies are made up of so many different chemistries, and sometimes it’s easy to feel out of balance. In today’s quick post, I am going to share a few that you’ve likely heard of. Plus, Quick Ways To Utilizing Happiness Chemicals in order to help you feel your best. Because, if you’re like me, then you need all the help you can get!
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Quick Ways To Utilizing Happiness Chemicals
1. The Reward Chemical
Otherwise known as Dopamine! Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter. You body makes it and your nervous system uses it to send messages between cells. It’s responsible for allowing you to feel pleasure, motivation, and satisfaction. You can tell when you have a surge of dopamine because you’ll feel really good after you’ve achieved something.
Increasing dopamine levels is important, especially if you struggle with brain fog. Engaging in activities that help you to feel happy or relaxed is what will help here. Yoga, meditating, going for a walk, eating your favorite foods, and completing a task are all examples of what could increase your dopamine levels.
2. The Love Hormone
You guess it- Oxytocin! Typically, this hormone is linked to the warm and fuzzy feelings that you get. These warm and fuzzy feelings have been linked to lowered stress and anxiety when you experience them often. It has the ability to regulate some of our emotional responses that help to build trust, empathy, bonding cues, and memories. Just to name a few!
Some ways to increase this love hormone is through physical touch, giving or receiving a compliment, holding hands, or even playing with a dog. It’s important for our brains to experience and develop this hormone. Without it, we can definitely become unbalanced.
3. The Mood Stabilizer
Serotonin is a fantastic mood stabilizer. It’s your body’s natural “feel good” chemical. When your serotonin levels are normal you tend to feel more focused, happier, calmer and overall more emotionally balanced. Some good ways to boost serotonin in your body could be meditating, sun exposure, exercising, taking a walk in nature, or going for a run. Adjusting your diet could help too, depending on your specific needs. Also, it’s always important to get enough sleep.
4. The Pain Killer
Otherwise known as, endorphins. Endorphins are considered natural painkillers because they activate opioid receptors in the brain that help minimize discomfort. So, if you sprain your ankle, endorphins will be released to help combat the pain. You can tap into stimulating endorphins by laughing, using essential oils, exercising, and eating dark chocolate dark chocolate. Sign me up.
Part of feeling good is knowing HOW to feel good. These Quick Ways To Utilizing Happiness Chemicals are knowledge. And knowledge is power! Save this blog post for easy reference later. And, don’t beat yourself up if you struggle with some of these. I am not a medical doctor and not prescribing care. But, if you’re worried or concerned, reach out to your doctor and ask how you can find more balance in your life while paying attention to these chemicals in your brain.