There isn’t one key to happiness. It’s the daily habits that play a significant role in releasing our happy hormones. Hormones are chemicals produced by different glands located in the body. According to Healthline, they travel through the bloodstream, acting as messengers playing a vital part in bodily processes. Happy hormones such as oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins function in helping to regulate your mood. Here are a few ways on how to activate each happy hormone.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a hormone produced in the hypothalamus and is secreted into the bloodstream by the posterior pituitary gland. This hormone and neurotransmitter is released during sex, childbirth and lactation. Oxytocin is often called the “love hormone”. It’s associated with feelings such as empathy, trust, and love. Boost your oxytocin levels by:
Do something nice for someone
Listen to music
Have safe sex
Practice yoga
Get/give a massage
Pet your dog
Meditate
Serotonin
The intestines and the brain produce serotonin. According to Medical News Today, it’s also present in the blood platelets and plays a role in the central nervous system. This is the reason why maintaining gut health is important. What you eat plays a huge part in your serotonin levels. Serotonin regulates your mood and emotions, memory, appetite, and digestion. Boost your serotonin levels by:
Get sunlight
Exercise
Reminisce on happy moments
Eat foods that contain tryptophan
Dopamine
Dopamine is the main neuroendocrine inhibitor of the secretion of prolactin from the anterior pituitary gland. Put simply, it’s produced in the brain. Dopamine is known as the “feel-good hormone” making up the brain’s reward system. It’s associated with pleasurable sensations, along with learning, memory, motor system function, etc. Boost your dopamine levels by:
Get enough rest
Complete a task
Eating less saturated fats, more protein
Endorphins
Endorphins are polypeptides produced by the pituitary gland and the central nervous system. According to Healthline, endorphins are involved in our natural reward circuits and are related to important activities like eating, drinking, physical fitness, and sexual intercourse. They’re your body’s natural pain reliever, which your body produces in response to anxiety or discomfort. Boost your endorphins levels by:
Go to a sauna
Eat dark chocolate
Aromatherapy
Laugh
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