Why are we so happy? I know some of us are not all the time but when we are, what's really going on up there. The majority of people will probably say something like “oh yeah it is your serotonin and your dopamine yadda yadda” but I doubt they actually know what they’re talking about. So how about some actual researched information for once. And maybe a few tips along the way on how to get the most of these “happy hormones”.
Serotonin. A classic. Serotonin is probably the first hormone that comes to mind when people think of the “happiness hormones” and for good reason. Low levels of it are associated with depression and anxiety and it’s essentially what helps balance your mood and stable levels of it will make you feel calmer, more relaxed and focused and all in all, happier. As for tips to get some serotonin in your life, you’re gonna want to do some exercise, have a well-balanced diet and you might think yeah of course that would make me feel better but it’s hard to stick to that. But I’m telling you, just thirty minutes of
exercise five times a week is known to improve mood disorders. And if you really want, just going in the sun can boost serotonin levels, it’s like we’re all plants photosynthesizing happiness, it’s great.
Dopamine. You know how I said that serotonin is probably the first hormone that comes to
mind when people think of “happiness hormones”, yeah this is its competition. Dopamine is
known as “the rewarding chemical”, and that’s cause while also being a general mood booster, dopamine is the one that gives you that “finally I finished that essay feeling”, or that feeling you get after giving a good speech, or coming first in a race, and I think you get my point. It’s pleasure, reward, and general good vibes wrapped into one. Low levels of dopamine kind of link with serotonin, it’s also associated with depression but oddly enough it’s also associated with Parkinson’s. Dopamine is quite a simple one to get cause you can get it from just about anything you enjoy from hobbies like dancing and gaming to sex and back to hobbies like baking again as long as you have fun with it, you’ll get some dopamine.
Endorphins. The cheeky pain killers. Endorphins usually get overlooked when people think of the “happiness hormone” cause at first glance it doesn’t seem to directly boost your mood (it does btw), instead endorphins help you overcome stress or discomfort or even physical pain.
But like I said, it can just make you feel good too. Now there’s about twenty types of
endorphins but they all fall under the description I gave above. And fun fact, the strongest of the pain killing endorphins are beta-endorphins which are even stronger than MORPHINE, which is quite the claim to its name. And honestly endorphins in general should get more credit, endorphins can relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, enhance self-love, maintain your appetite, and even helps expecting mothers through the lovely pain of childbirth.
In terms of getting some endorphins for yourself, it’s pretty much the same as dopamine, not just the simple things that will make almost anyone feel better like eating, exercising and sex, but pretty much any hobby you enjoy.
Now that’s a wrap for this one but I got one last tip. And this is a tip for all of them and just your wellbeing in general, which is why I’ve kept it for the end. And no matter how much time you spend in the sun or exercising or doing whatever you may enjoy, you’re not gonna get very far in terms of mental wellbeing without sleep, and I know a lot of us like to ignore that but it’s the truth. So set yourself a time tonight, while keeping in mind how long it’ll take you to do any assignments and to spend time for yourself and stick to that time, you’ll thank yourself if you do. And if you’re reading this and it’s already been dark out for a while, get yourself some sleep, you’ve earned it.
Bibliography:
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0and%20hypothalamus,exercise%2C%20and%20sex%2C%20etc.
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