We often ask ourselves, what makes us happy? Or even spend a lot of time discussing ways to be happier like by maintaining close friendships, looking on the bright side, drinking more water and etc. We try to associate the feeling of happiness to people, possessions, and situations but have you ever thought, what is the real cause of our happiness? What makes us feel sensations of happiness, closeness, and joy.
In reality, happiness is largely a chemical experience, our brain chemicals!!!, Our body produces hundreds of neurochemicals. Only a small fraction of these have been identified by scientists. We will not know in our life exactly how all of these molecules work. By understanding how these chemicals work on a basic level, we can better decide for ourselves whether the latest trends will be helping or hurting our happiness.
There are four primary chemicals that can drive the positive emotions you feel throughout the day:
(sometimes referred to as D.O.S.E.).
These four main neurochemicals, hormones, and neurotransmitters generated in the brain are fundamentally responsible for creating the sensations and emotions we’ve come to associate with happiness. This is actually good news because now you know that even when your assumed source of happiness like people, possessions, and situations aren’t exactly as you like them to be, there are simple ways you can increase your happy brain chemicals and alter your moods. It would be nice if they surged all the time but sadly, they don’t work that way. Each happy chemical has a special job to do and it turns off when the job is done. That’s why we are always looking for ways to turn on the happy chemicals.
We have already established that there are 4 happy chemicals , our brain wants all of them but we must understand them better so we can give ourselves a well-balanced happiness diet. Think of this as your introduction guide to what these chemicals are and how they affect your daily happiness.
Dopamine is a hormone and neurotransmitter that’s an important part of your brain’s reward system. Dopamine causes that little happy feeling when someone likes your picture on Facebook on when you tick all the boxes from your ‘to-do’ list, Dopamine is associated with pleasurable sensations, along with learning, memory, motor system function, and more. It is meant to motivate your body towards a long-term goal but one step at a time. Without dopamine, early humans wouldn’t have had the motivation to hunt down large mammals and benefit from putting in effort into long-term goals. Now due to our bad technology habits, we do not have long-lasting happiness, it only lasts till you beat another level at candy crush or check your phone to see some new social media activity.
If you Break big goals down into little pieces. Rather than only allowing your brain to celebrate when you’ve hit the big finish line, you can create a series of little finish-lines for frequent dopamine release. And it’s crucial to actually celebrate— you could head to your favourite restaurant whenever you meet a small goal or you could celebrate with your favourite milkshake or any other beverage.
When you slump after a massive high. Create new goals before achieving your current one. That ensures a consistent pattern for experiencing dopamine.
Oxytocin is the neurochemical that has allowed us to become social creatures. It makes us feel empathy which helps us feel close and bonded to others when it’s released. The release of oxytocin creates intimacy, trust, and strengthens relationships. It is often referred to as “the cuddle hormone,” a simple way to keep oxytocin flowing is to give someone a hug.
Positive social interactions tend to be the best way to increase the release of this hormone. Working together with others, sharing a meal, giving a gift, opening up emotionally, providing full attention while listening to someone, and long hugs. What’s especially great about oxytocin is that it often works two ways. Those long hugs give both you and the hug-receiver a dose of oxytocin. A kind gesture delivers a little oxytocin to both you and the gift-receiver.
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.
Have you ever wondered why you’re “Hangry’’ (hungry + angry) , it’s because 80 percent of serotonin exists in the gut, and is governed by your state of hunger. If you’re in a good mood, you’ve got serotonin to thank. And if you’re in a bad mood, you’ve got serotonin to blame. It’s a regulator.
Serotonin also 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. It can create strong, positive emotions.
Serotonin flows when you feel significant or important. Loneliness and depression are present when serotonin is absent. Its why people fall into gangs and criminal activity. 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.
If you need a serotonin boost during a stressful day, take a few moments to reflect on your past achievements and victories. Another way to boost your serotonin levels is to have lunch or coffee outside and expose yourself to the sun for twenty minutes; your skin absorbs UV rays which promotes Vitamin-D and serotonin production. Although too much ultraviolet rays aren’t good, some daily exposure is healthy for boosting your serotonin levels.
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. Similar to morphine, it acts as an analgesic and sedative, diminishing your perception of pain.
Once you remove the pain part of the equation, endorphins can feel like a “high” or even just a nice relaxing feeling. It’s even been argued that the joyful feeling you get from deep belly laughs is caused by endorphins! The contracting of stomach muscles is enough “pain” to release a few feel-good endorphins into your body.
When it comes to designing happiness, endorphins help you “power through.” They are the reason exercise is often suggested to help with stress.
Along with exercise, laughter is one of the easiest ways to induce endorphin release. Even the anticipation and expectation of laugher like when you are attending a comedy show it increases levels of endorphins , forwarding that funny email, and finding several things to laugh at during the day is a great way to keep your endorphins flowing. The smell of vanilla and lavender has been linked with the production of endorphins. Studies have shown that dark chocolate and spicy foods will cause your brain to release endorphins. So next time keep some scented oils and dark chocolate at your desk for a quick endorphin boost.
Each of these chemicals plays a huge part in the way our bodies function: physically, mentally, and emotionally. By understanding the role these hormones have, you can better understand how they are affecting you in everyday situations. The more you know, the more you’ll be able to take control of those effects and enjoy a healthier, happier life.
