How to Boost Your Happy Hormones
Your body’s hormones and neurotransmitters are vital in regulating your mood and emotions. Hormones are produced by different glands in your body and travel through the bloodstream, while neurotransmitters can usually be found in the central nervous system. These elements work together to trigger a reaction to different stimuli.
Some hormones are often called happy hormones because they promote positive feelings that make you feel good. Although your body can naturally produce these chemicals, it’s also good to understand how you can help boost their release.
Meet the Happy Hormones
Your body has various feel-good hormones that can alleviate your mood and improve your well-being. Some of them can reduce stress and ease depression symptoms, while others can make you feel happy. The main happy hormones include the following:
- Endorphins are natural pain relievers that your body produces when you are under stress or have discomfort. Your body’s endorphin levels increase during reward-producing activities like working out or eating.
- Serotonin helps regulate your mood and can also affect your sleep, digestion, appetite, memory, and learning ability.
- Oxytocin is often called the love hormone because it increases with physical touch and shows of affection like hugging and cuddling. It is important for creating a strong parent-child bond so having a mother immediately embrace and breastfeed her newborn is encouraged in most hospitals. Also, this hormone promotes trust and empathy.
- Dopamine keeps you happy and helps you stay alert. It is an important part of your brain’s reward system, which gives you sensations of pleasure that keep you coming back for more. However, the release of this neurotransmitter can also be triggered by substance abuse.
Have an Exercise Routine
One of the most effective ways to naturally increase your mood-boosters is through regular exercise. Aside from keeping you physically fit, exercising can also improve your emotional well-being. It has long been associated with an increased release of endorphins. Aside from easing stress, doing physical activities regularly can also enhance your dopamine levels. This makes exercise a great option to boost your happy hormones and it is often recommended to those getting treatment for substance use disorder across the United States. In Florida, many treatment facilities encourage their patients to follow an exercise routine. Through running or jogging, patients staying in a drug rehab Miami residents go to can improve their bodies’ natural dopamine and endorphin production.
Get Some Sun
Going out during the day is the best way to naturally boost your serotonin levels. Getting ample exposure to sunlight can also help with your brain function and maintain your circadian rhythm, which is your internal body clock. You can start with staying outdoors for at least 10 to 15 minutes every day. To help maintain this daily activity, you can combine it with your exercise routine. You can also take a walk in the park or visit a nearby neighborhood. Remember to apply some sunscreen to avoid getting sunburned.
Spend Time with Loved Ones
Bonding with friends and family can help increase the oxytocin in your body. It can also help strengthen your relationships, bringing positive feelings like happiness. Aside from romantic relationships, friendships can also improve the production of oxytocin. Sharing a laugh with friends can relieve stress and boost your mood. You can enhance your dopamine and endorphin levels by sharing a funny video or watching a comedy special together. In addition, you can naturally promote the release of all your happy hormones by cooking and eating a meal together. When you share a delicious meal with people you love, you trigger the release of endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin.
Rest Well
Getting a good night’s rest is necessary for recharging your body’s energy levels, and it is also important for balancing the hormones in your body. When you get seven to nine hours of sleep each night, you can effectively improve dopamine levels. Also, a night of restful sleep can help you stay alert and focused during the day. If you have trouble sleeping, following a schedule of going to bed and getting up at the same time daily helps your body get accustomed to a rhythm. You can also reduce your caffeine intake, especially during the afternoon and evening.
Listen to Music
Listening to music can increase a couple of your happy hormones. When you listen to instrumental music, dopamine production is triggered. But if that’s not your favorite genre, you can also enjoy other types of music and get into a good mood, thanks to increasing serotonin levels. On the other hand, musicians and other performers can experience a boost in their feel-good hormones. Activities like singing, dancing, and playing an instrument can help in their endorphin release.
Although your body is capable of releasing happy hormones, there are several ways you can help increase oxytocin, endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine levels in your body. Certain activities can boost your mood and have positive effects on your mental well-being. So, if you’re having a bad day or feeling down, you can try some of these useful tips to help lift your spirits.
