''HOW TO HACK THE HAPPINESS CHEMICALS ''

 

HOW TO HARNESS HAPPINESS HORMONES

       

      "HOW TO HACK THE HAPPINESS CHEMICALS'

HAPPINESS CHEMICALS:

We spend a lot of time discussing ways to be happier - maintain close friendships, look on the bright side, drink more water. But we don’t often think about how we feel happiness.Your mood is influenced by many things — the good, as well as the bad.Spending time with a loved one or friend can improve it. Sitting in an hour of unexpected traffic can ruin it.But your mood is more complicated than the situations and environments you encounter. There's brain chemistry to consider, too.Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that carry signals from one neuron to another. A neuron is a cell that transmits information to other cells, muscles or glands. Structurally, neurons consist of a body, axon and dendrites.These chemicals work together every second of your day to regulate your mood, perception and view on life.

A complex process occurs whenever you experience a thought or feeling. First, an electric signal in the neuron travels through the axon where molecules bind to receptor sites. A second neuron either accepts or rejects the signal. The first molecule can then take back some of the remaining molecules, a process known as reuptake.
The end result is what makes us experience emotions such as joy, laughter, happiness, sadness, anger or enthusiasm.

WHAT ARE HAPPINESS CHEMICALS AND HACKING INTO YOUR HAPPINESS CHEMICALS.

Four main brain chemicals, dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins, all play a role in how you experience happiness. 

1. DOPAMINE: THE REWARD CHEMICAL

 Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced by the hypothalamus, a small region of the brain that helps you feel pleasure.It’s an important part in your reward system, meaning the brain releases dopamine when you do things that feel good or pleasurable or when you complete a task. Without dopamine, early humans never would have had the motivation to hunt down large mammals and benefit from investing effort into long-term goals. Today, dopamine is what helps you get through your to-do list or motivates you to start a new habit. It acts across several areas of the brain and therefore, can affect many different functions such as memory, learning, behaviour and movement.

HACKS:

• EATING FOOD
• ACHIEVING A GOAL
• COMPLETE A TASK
• SELF-CARE ACTIVITIES

2. OXYTOCIN: THE LOVE HORMONE

Oxytocin is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland that produces feelings of love and connection. Also known as the cuddle hormone, the brain may produce oxytocin during sex or maternal behavior such as childbirth or  breastfeeding.

Oxytocin boosts our immune systems, makes us better problem solvers and makes us more resistant to the addictive qualities of dopamine.. Studies have found it can trigger labour contractions and the flow of breast milk in women, and the movement of sperm in men. On your search for happiness, oxytocin may be your best friend. It can help fight stress, improve your relationships, and promote long-lasting positive emotions. There’s even some evidence that oxytocin could assist in physical wound healing.

HACKS:

• SOCIALISING
• PHYSICAL TOUCH
• PETTING ANIMALS
• HELPING OTHERS

3. ENDORPHIN: THE PAINKILLER

Endorphins are essentially released in response to pain. They help us push our bodies beyond their comfort levels and persist when we might otherwise want to give up.They trigger positive feelings when you do something you enjoy such as having sex, laughing or exercising. They also stimulate pain relief, which is the same reaction that occurs chemically when taking prescription opioids. Endorphins are considered natural pain relievers and mood boosters.Endorphins are the reason exercise is often suggested to help with stress. They’re the reason why starting a gym routine can help you relax after a long day at work. The predictability of endorphins makes them especially useful.

HACKS:

• EXERCISING
• LISTENING TO MUSIC
• WATCH A MOVIE
• LAUGHTER

4. SEROTONIN: THE MOOD STABILIZERS

Serotonin is another neurotransmitter produced when you feel satisfaction or importance. It also helps regulate your sleep, appetite and mood. Serotonin plays a role in the dynamics of pride, loyalty, and status. When we feel a sense of accomplishment or recognition from others, we are experiencing the effects of serotonin. This could be from receiving your diploma, crossing the finish line in a race, or being appreciated for hard work in the office.The presence of serotonin in the body influences everything from the quality of our sleep to our appetite.Serotonin also plays a role in many crucial systems in our body beyond just our well-being and happiness. It’s believed to affect digestion, bone growth, and even organ development.

HACKS:

• SUN EXPOSURE
• MINDFULLNESS
• BE WITH NATURE
• MEDITATION

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