Ways to trigger brain chemicals that make you happy
There is a lack of happiness in our lives. Most of the time people are found depressed with life’s circumstances and relationships. Isn’t life all about being happy? It is always said that ‘life is too short to be anything but happy’. But tell me how many of you actually try staying happy in life?
What makes you happy? Your loved ones, your car, books or a special moment in your life probably. The fact is that happiness is more a chemical experience! The 4 main chemicals secreted by the brain are the main reason behind creating the sensations and emotions that we link with happiness. This seems to be good news as when our possessions, relations and circumstances not as what we want them to be, we can still be happy by increasing the brain chemicals responsible for happiness.
Yes! You can make yourself happy by triggering the 4 brain chemicals for happiness! Here is how to go about it!
Endorphins are produced by the central nervous system to help us deal with pain at the physical level. They can also make you feel lightheaded and at times giddy. One way to induce the secretions of endorphins is to exercise.
Both aerobic and anaerobic exercise release endorphins. In one study, something as little as a 30 min walk on the treadmill for 10 days was enough to witness a huge reduction in depression among those who were clinically depressed.
Serotonin is the most well known happiness chemical as it is the one that antidepressant medicines basically address. It is a neurotransmitter that is triggered naturally by several things we can do every day.
One way of triggering serotonin secretion is exposure to bright light such as sunshine! Exercise and thinking about happy things can stimulate the production of this chemical. Research also says that higher consumption of foods with tryptophan can do the trick too.
Dopamine is brain chemical that can be referred to as the ‘chemical of reward’. When you hit a target or score a goal, or are able to accomplish a task, you get a hit of dopamine in the brain that tells you that you have done a great job! However, you can also get a dose of it naturally when you do acts of kindness towards others.
Are you aware that volunteering increases dopamine along with other long term health benefits? Research says that simple thoughts of loving kindness brings a dopamine high.
Moms are familiar with oxytocin as it is a hormone produced during pregnancy and breast feeding. Oxytocin is basically linked with close relationships and loving touch.
This hormone stimulates dopamine and serotonin and reduces anxiety. A loving cuddle to your near and dear ones can give you a hit of oxytocin. You will get the same effect with a pet too!
So, you see that our brains and bodies keep undergoing chemical changes due to our daily actions. Understanding the working of feel good hormones will help us trigger the brain chemicals for happiness more often.
How was it to read about the Brain Chemicals For Happiness?
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