We all want to be happy, positive and have this feel-good mood all the time because simply the opposite of these feelings would never be in anyone’s favor neither mentally nor physically. But have you ever asked yourself what is the body’s reaction while boosting these feel-good hormones? And whether you have control to do what is necessary to keep boosting such hormones?
What Does Happiness Do To Your Body?
First we must agree that almost everything that makes you feel “happy” is linked to one of these four happiness hormones: dopamine, serotonin, endorphin and oxytocin. These hormones are types of neurotransmitters in the brain that send messages to your nerves and so the body follows. And actually each hormone has a function and reason to be boosted.
For example, the dopamine hormone, often called the happy hormone, results in feelings of well-being, mainly it is a primary driver of the brain’s reward system. Also, serotonin is the “feel-good hormone”. In fact, the main class of drugs used to treat anxiety and depression.
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Moreover, endorphins are the hormones associated with “runner’s high”, for example, a cardiovascular exercise is one of the best ways to increase them and they act as natural pain killers, minimizing discomfort and maximizing pleasure. And finally, there is oxytocin, which is the “love hormone”, it spikes your body in situations of bonding and attachments, such as when you’re in love, holding your partner’s hand, or even petting your favorite four legged furry best friend.
Interesting, right? But do you know why? Because this simply replies with a BIG FAT YES to our question on “whether we have control to do what is necessary to keep boosting such hormones”! We do have some control over our moods, which we will know how in the next paragraph.
What Daily Habits Would Boost These Happy Hormones Naturally?
1. Laugh Out Loud
This tip could, in theory, boost all four of your happy hormones. As we know, laughing is the best medicine anyone can ever ask for. In simple words, it draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. It lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps you release anger and forgive sooner.
2. Exercise
Regular physical activity boosts dopamine, serotonin and endorphin levels. This is because being physically active improves your brain health, helps manage weight, reduces the risk of disease, strengthens bones and muscles, and improves your ability to do everyday activities.
3. Fall in Love, or Hug Your Pet
This habit would spike up the oxytocin hormone, for its well earned reputation as “the love hormone”. Pets owners would definitely agree, and as they see this statement they would jump hug their furry best friends a huge long hug. When you fall in love or hug your pet a connection and trust is released from the brain, giving you and your beloved person or beloved pet a sense of unconditional love and closeness, which is quite calming and stress relieving.
4. Spend Time in The Sunlight
According to research, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can increase the production of serotonin. Spending time outdoors can improve overall health and wellness. The outdoors offers many opportunities to be physically active. Time outdoors may also promote mental health and stress reduction.
5. Make Yourself A Good Meal
The enjoyment you get from eating something delicious can trigger the release of dopamine along with endorphins. Certain foods can also have an impact on hormone levels, like spicy food, yogurt, beans, eggs, meats with low-fat content, and almonds are just a few foods linked to dopamine release.
6. Listen to Music
Music can give more than one of your happy hormones a boost. Music can give more than one of your happy hormones a boost. Listening to instrumental music, especially music that gives you chills, increases dopamine production in your brain.
7. Read
Reading encourages personal growth, and improves self-confidence. It helps people interact better with each other, speak better, and have better social skills. Also, it gives you complete freedom and allows your imagination to fill in any gaps in the stories you read. All the above, releases dopamine and serotonin hormone.
8. Dance
Dancing has been scientifically proven to cause the brain to release dopamine – the natural mood booster, and endorphins – the natural painkiller, as discussed above. Therefore, it’s proven that this kind of exercise may help you relax and be happy! So c’mon stand in front of your mirror, play your favorite song and start moving.
9. Meditate
You may have heard the many wellness benefits of meditation already. It simply improves sleep, which reduces stress and increases dopamine production.
10. Always Get Enough Sleep
Sleeping for 7 to 9 hours boosts the dopamine hormone in your body. Because sleep deprivation contributes greatly to an imbalance of hormones, which impacts your mood greatly. Therefore, make sure you sleep well everyday, in a restful environment to be able to gain balanced hormones in your body.