Did you know, 37% of people around the world are unhappy? That means at least 1 in 3 people you know aren’t happy with their life. Are you one of those people? If so, there are simple ways to improve your happiness. Have you heard of happiness chemicals? Your brain releases these happy chemicals that make you feel good. It is common to think happiness is a destination that you have to find either through material items, relationships, or career status. But happiness is the journey and something you can create on your own. Improving your happiness can be as simple as getting a good night’s sleep. It is known that people who are sleep deprived have a harder time remembering positive ideas and an easier time remembering negative ideas.
What are the Happiness Chemicals?
When you feel good, your brain is releasing one of the happiness chemicals or happy hormones. There are four main happiness brain chemicals:
1. Dopamine
2. Oxytocin
3. Serotonin
4. Endorphins
Each chemical has a job to do, and when your brain releases one of these chemicals, you feel good. By understanding how these chemicals work, we can better improve our overall happiness by tapping into each of the four happiness chemicals.
The Effects of Happiness Chemicals:
At least 1 in 3 people in the world who were surveyed in 2020 were unhappy. That’s a huge portion of the population. Happiness or lack thereof affects everyone and can contribute to poor overall health. There have been numerous studies linking depression to the reduction of happiness chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. One study found people with clinical depression have increased levels of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters. This deficiency can lead to various effects that could contribute to mental illnesses like depression.
How Deficiency Affects You:
Low levels of happiness chemicals can lead to various symptoms such as fatigue, lack of motivation, feeling anxious, and more. Dopamine deficiency can result in procrastination and low self-esteem. Oxytocin deficiency may cause feelings of loneliness and stress, while serotonin deficiency can lead to mood swings and social phobia. Endorphin deficiency might result in anxiety and depression, among other symptoms.
Benefits of Happiness:
Happiness not only makes you feel good but also contributes to improved overall health, creativity, positive relationships, and a happier outlook on life.
How to Increase Happy Brain Chemicals:
Most people don’t get enough of each of the happiness chemicals. Fortunately, there are simple ways to naturally boost each of the happy brain chemicals. Here are some tips to increase dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphin levels:
– Dopamine: Meditate regularly, make daily to-do lists and long-term goals, eat foods rich in L-Tyrosine, and exercise regularly.
– Oxytocin: Engage in physical touch and socialize, touch your pet, get a massage, listen to music, exercise, and meditate.
– Serotonin: Exercise, get sunlight, eat serotonin-boosting foods, and get a massage.
– Endorphins: Laugh, create music or art, eat dark chocolate and spicy foods, exercise or stretch, and meditate.
Conclusion:
Creating happiness is a journey, and understanding the role of happiness chemicals can help improve overall well-being. By increasing dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphin levels naturally, you can work towards a happier and healthier life. Remember, happiness is not a destination; it’s a path you can forge on your own.
