“My teacher asked me what I want to be when I grow up, I said happy. She told me I don’t understand the assignment, I told her she doesn’t understand life.”-John Lennon
Happiness, how do we achieve it? Is it even possible to be happy? We sometimes get lost in trying to make ourselves happy with things that do not fulfill us. People forget that we already have the chemicals inside of us that make us happy. Yes we do!
There are four primary chemicals that drive positive emotions.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is referred to as the reward chemical.
Dopamine causes you to desire, want and seek out. Dopamine creates a cycle of motivation, reward and reinforcement. For example, suppose you love your mom’s homemade cookies. Your brain may increase dopamine when you smell them baking. When you eat them, the flood of pleasure from dopamine acts to reinforce the craving and you associate positive thoughts with the experience. Dopamine contributes to feelings of motivation, focus and HAPPINESS. Insufficient levels of dopamine can lead to mental illnesses such as depressive disorders, eating-disorders, and addiction. For example, too much dopamine can lead to mania, which is periods of great excitement or euphoria. Mania is associated with Bipolar disorder.
There are many ways to stabilize your dopamine level. Sleep is a way to increase dopamine. Proper sleep hygiene fuels dopamine production. Try to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night and avoid technology before bed. When we properly rest our bodies, it allows us to create happiness.
Serotonin is considered a natural mood stabilizer.
Serotonin affects every part of your body. This particular chemical helps with sleeping, eating, digesting, reducing depression, regulating anxiety, and healing wounds. It is sometimes called the HAPPY chemical because it contributes to wellbeing and happiness. Serotonin, in the brain, can regulate anxiety, happiness and mood. When your serotonin levels are normal you may feel happier, calmer, more focused and less anxious. Loneliness and depression can be present when there are low levels of serotonin. Many antidepressants focus on the production of serotonin.
One way to stabilize your mood is through mediation. Mediation is a process where you bring yourself to the present moment with control breathing. Mediation allows feel-good chemicals to wash away the stress that influences low serotonin. Other alternatives can be Yoga. Mediation is commonly incorporated into yoga. A big part of yoga is to focus on your breath. When you bring attention to your breath it allows you bring your attention to the present moment.
Oxytocin is the known as the love hormone.
Oxytocin creates intimacy, trust and helps builds healthy relationships. It reinforces the early attachment between mothers and their babies. It is a hormone that our brain naturally produces. It plays a role in childbirth, bonding, social interaction, and emotions. Our relationships with others play a role in our HAPPINESS. Having strong connected relationships affects our mental health because it gives us support systems and people in our corner.
Some ways to get a dose of oxytocin in natural ways is by hugging. Yes hugs! When we hug, touch or sit close to someone else levels of oxytocin rise. Ever been stressed and you decide to cuddle next to you dog? Well, oxytocin also causes a reduction in blood pressure and of the stress hormone norepinephrine. So as you cuddle with your dog, oxytocin is released and reduces your stress. Giving your friends and family big hugs when you see them or cuddling next to your puppy, allows oxytocin to be released. This ultimately will help increase your HAPPINESS.
Endorphins are the natural pain relievers.
Endorphins are produced in the central nervous system. They are released in response to pain and stress but also released during exercise and eating. Endorphins reduce pain and boost pleasure. Naturally, we like to seek pleasure, avoid pain, and be HAPPY. Endorphins allow us to do so.
Endorphins are known for giving you that “high” after a great workout. Exercise is great for our overall mental health and HAPPINESS. But, you do not have to do an insane workout to experience the pleasure from endorphin release. You can also produce endorphin naturally when you eat dark chocolate, dance, laugh, meditate, or eat your favorite meal. These things can bring you pleasure and help make you HAPPY.
Being in a positive state can significantly impact our overall well-being. Happiness is achievable. So dance, laugh, hug, mediate, sleep, eat, and reach your happiness.
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