Have you ever heard of happiness hormones?
Now more than ever they should be something we are all interested in.
The COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on everyone’s mental health, no doubt about that. Now that we are slowly getting back to some kind of normality (“new normal” anyone?), readjusting to our busy lives and maybe even starting to travel again as borders reopen, we should not forget to take care of our mental health.
We should enjoy our newly found freedom and boost our happiness in our everyday life. Happiness hormones can help us with that.
Did you know that your brain is constantly communicating with your body, sending chemicals called hormones from one nerve to another? Hormones are tiny molecules, but they are packed with functions. For example, they can increase and decrease your energy levels, sex drive and fat storage. They can even control your emotions and mood. Ultimately, they can greatly affect our happiness.
What is happiness? Well, there isn’t really an objective measure of happiness. However, most of us know we are happy when we feel it.
Nevertheless, there are strong physiological bases for happiness. There are four key happiness hormones: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins. These are neurotransmitters, meaning that they work directly from your brain to generate those feel-good feelings.
Happiness hormones are driven in part by your genes and in part by your lifestyle. Let’s dive into each one of these and see how you can boost them naturally to enhance your overall wellbeing.
Serotonin – The mood stabilizer
Serotonin is the first happiness hormone. It regulates our mood, sleep, appetite and digestion. It is a primary regulator of our mood.
Feeling good? -› Thank serotonin.
Feeling down? -› Time to boost serotonin.
How to naturally boost serotonin
1. Meditate. Here you can find 5 ways to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life.
2. Go out for a walk and get some sunlight. Even a dose of 10-15 minutes of sun is enough to make you feel happy.
3. Listen to music.
Dopamine – the reward chemical
Whenever you get rewarded and praised, dopamine runs through your body. It is your brain’s reward system, and it naturally makes us feel good.
How to naturally boost dopamine
1. Set a goal and complete it: when you accomplish something, it is a reward itself. This triggers the release of dopamine, making us feel happy.
2. Celebrate the little victories: treat yourself with something that you enjoy – what about a private wellness retreat?
3. Practice an act of self-care
4. Get a good night’s sleep – both quality and quantity of sleep are important to maintain optimal dopamine levels (and also great for the other happiness hormones!)
Oxytocin – the love hormone
Oxytocin is a happiness hormone. However, it is primarily known to be the hormone of love and trust. When you are around someone with whom you bond or have trust, your brain releases oxytocin to make you feel happy.
How to naturally boost oxytocin
1. Snuggle your pet
2. Cuddle a baby
3. Hug someone – something that we have all been looking forward to post-Covid!
4. Pass on a compliment
5. Hold hands with your loved ones
Endorphins – the pain reliever
Endorphins are one of the happiness hormones and act as your body’s natural pain reliever. When stress and discomfort causes wear and tear, these hormones save us from any damage.
How to naturally boost endorphins
1. Exercise. These neurotransmitters increase to sky-high levels during intensity cardio, strength training, and general strenuous physical exertion. For example, even just 5 minutes of exercise will help increase endorphins. However, to achieve the so-called “runners’ high” a 30 minutes session is recommended. A private personal trainer can help you setting up your exercise routine to make sure your endorphins levels are always optimal.
2. LOL – laugh out loud. Laughter can help you relieve stress, anxiety and boost your mood by flushing endorphins in your body.
3. Eat dark chocolate. The chemicals contained in dark chocolate can make us happy by boosting endorphins, isn’t this great news?
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Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a happiness hormone. However, it is primarily known to be the hormone of love and trust. When you are around someone with whom you bond or have trust, your brain releases oxytocin to make you feel happy.
How to naturally boost oxytocin
1. Snuggle your pet
2. Cuddle a baby
3. Hug someone – something that we have all been looking forward to post-Covid!
4. Pass on a compliment
5. Hold hands with your loved ones
