Hormones are chemicals produced by different glands across your body. They travel through the bloodstream, acting as messengers and playing a part in many bodily processes. Certain hormones are known to help promote positive feelings, including happiness and pleasure. Most important function of hormones — helping regulate your mood.
Have you noticed those people who called themselves as “foodies” and are very fond of food, discussing about various cuisines, restaurants and venture out in search of good restaurants?
These are the people who are always cheerful, enthusiastic and joyful because they keep on producing adequate quantity of happiness hormone called “Dopamine”. Yes, production of dopamine is directly proportional to activities like goal achievement, eating food, having a good sleep, taking a refreshing bath, etc.
In the same manner another happiness hormone called endorphin secretion is solely depending on exercising, laughing and listening to music. We can easily relate this with sports, fitness freaks, musicians, singers and individuals’ experience of feeling good while watching comedy movies/shows.
Third happiness chemical called Oxytocin’s secretion depends upon the character of compassion and individual’s quality of helping others, petting animals and physical touch. Just spending time with someone you care about can also help boost oxytocin production.
Mindfulness, nature walks and sun exposure are vital inputs to produce the fourth and last happiness hormone – serotonin. Simply listening to any music you enjoy may help put you in a good mood. This positive change in your mood can increase serotonin production
Living with regular stress or dealing with highly stressful life events can cause drops in dopamine and serotonin production. This can negatively affect your health and mood, making it harder to deal with stress.
If you’re undergoing stressful phase of life, take a brief break from the source of stress and get into regular exercising/walking, meditation, social interaction and laughter (remember the old saying, “Laughter is the best medicine”).These approaches may help relieve your stress while also boosting your levels of serotonin, dopamine, and even endorphins.
Ninety-five per cent of serotonin is produced in the gastrointestinal tract and hence it is important to eat foods that promote gut health to boost serotonin. A healthy diet helps to boost more than serotonin – it is also linked to dopamine regulation in the brain. Low levels of omega – 3 fats and fatty acids affect the brain’s dopamine systems and, when combined with genetic and other factors, increase the risk of developing disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and depression.
Dopamine, serotonin, endorphin and oxytocin play crucial role in your ability to feel good and lead a happy fulfilling life. These chemicals can be naturally boosted through proper diet, exercise, exposure to sunlight and physical activities that you enjoy, like dancing.
