Everyone wants to be happy. It is a great feeling that can not only make you feel good about yourself but is also contagious and can spread to others. However, have you ever wondered what makes you happy?
While external factors play a role in your happiness, the scientific reason behind feeling upbeat, elated, or chirpy is an array of chemical reactions that happens within your body. Hormones are chemicals produced by different glands in your body that act as messengers and travel through the bloodstream to carry out bodily functions. A specific group of hormones called happiness hormones are what regulate your mood and promote positive feelings.
Let’s look at what these happiness hormones are and various ways to trigger them.
Dopamine
Also known as the “happy hormone” or “feel-good hormone,” dopamine is a neurotransmitter linked to inducing the feeling of well-being. It is an integral part of the brain’s reward system, and its levels spike in moments of pleasure or reward. For instance, your dopamine levels will skyrocket when you achieve a small goal, fall in love, buy a dress you have long wanted, or eat the pizza you have been craving for a week. In addition, dopamine levels are also associated with learning, motivation, and memory.
To trigger dopamine production, you should eat a diet rich in magnesium and tyrosine. They form the building blocks of dopamine. Tyrosine is an amino acid that, after entering your body, passes into your brain and is converted into dopamine. Food items that can induce dopamine include chicken, avocados, chocolate, green tea, oranges, watermelon, and more. Furthermore, engaging in activities you enjoy, such as a sport, hobby, or even playing with your pet, can increase your dopamine levels.
Endorphins
Endorphins are your body’s natural pain relievers–they alleviate pain, boost pleasure, and minimize discomfort. Your body produces this hormone during times of stress, discomfort, pain, or exhaustion. After all, there is a reason why athletes are capable of bearing pain during a big race or a tough game.
Nonetheless, endorphin levels in your body might also be triggered when you engage in rewarding activities like exercising, eating, reading a book, etc. The best way to induce endorphin production is through cardiovascular exercises. Any form of exercise that raises your heart rate can lead to endorphin release, which further prompts positive feelings and reduced perception of pain.
While the action of pain relief by endorphin is similar to the reaction that occurs when taking opioids, heroin can lead to limited production of natural endorphins. This is harmful in the long run. People suffering from heroin addiction must undergo a heroin detox. Look into a heroin detox in Massachusetts to restore your body’s capability to produce endorphins if you or a loved one is struggling with the addiction.
Serotonin
Serotonin is a hormone your body produces that plays an integral role in regulating your mood, energy level, motor function, appetite, learning ability, memory, and behavior. Serotonin is also vital to fight off depression and anxiety–typically, the drugs (SSRIs-selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) used to treat these conditions increase serotonin levels in the brain.
Confidence is what triggers serotonin production in your body. Have you ever wondered why you feel good when people respect you? It is your brain producing serotonin. Nonetheless, you can’t always go around seeking respect from people. So, your best bet is to believe in your self-worth. Focus on your wins and the good things in life, recall happy memories, spend time outdoors, and get enough sleep.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is also known as the “love hormone.” The hormone level in a woman’s body increases during childbirth and nursing, which leads to strong parent-child bonding and attachment. However, beyond the delivery of a baby, oxytocin levels also spike during intimate moments, such as when you hold hands with your partner, cuddle, kiss, or have sex.
Generally, elevated oxytocin levels lead to the feeling of love and connection. In addition, it is also related to feeling calmer, secure, and joyful.
Do More Of What Makes You Happy
Dopamine, endorphins, serotonin, and oxytocin promote happiness and reduce susceptibility to anxiety and depression. While your body naturally produces these hormones, you can boost their production by making simple lifestyle changes. For instance, laughing more, getting outside and under the sun, eating a healthy diet, and surrounding yourself with positive people can all trigger happy hormones. So, pick some new happy habits, and get started.
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