What can make you HAPPY

Ever wondered why we feel great sometimes and why that mood lowers rapidly??

Yes, some people or situations can have a huge impact on how we feel but there are ways to control those feelings and turn them around using simple mindset strategies.

I want to dig deeper into the BRAIN, what we perceive to be the most fascinating part of the human body!

Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin and Endorphin are organic chemicals that play a huge part in how we feel.

Dopamine aka “The Motivation Molecule”:
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) that helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers, helps regulate movement and emotional responses and enables us not only to see rewards, but to take the necessary action to move toward them. It is also associated with sensation-seeking people, more commonly known as “risk takers’ or as we like to call them people who “get OUT of their comfort zone”.

Natural ways to increase Dopamine:
Simply get OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE and feel the thrill of the chase in all aspects of life.
There are foods that are rich in Dopamine as well that assist with the above, some of which are naturally high in protein.
~ All animal products
~ Bananas (which are very high in Dopamine)
~ Green leafy vegetables
~ Green Tea
~ Almonds
~ Apples
~ Avocados
~ Beetroot
~ Watermelon
~ Oregano
~ Peanuts
AND SOOOOO MUCH MORE!!

Serotonin aka “The Happy Molecule”:
Serotonin is one of the most important feel-good neurotransmitters. It is almost always associated with brain function, mood, social behaviour, mental well-being, appetite and digestion, sleep, memory and sexual desire. It is important to keep your Serotonin levels up to maximize happiness and well-being.

Natural ways to increase Serotonin:
There aren’t many foods that contain Serotonin however, there is enough there to take in on a daily basis. Some of these food include:
~Walnuts
~ Bananas
~ Pineapple
~ Kiwi Fruit,
~ Dark chocolate
~ Cold-water fish
~ Green tea
~ Fermented foods
~ Turmeric

Oxytocin aka “The Love Hormone”:
Oxytocin is an amazing hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. It regulates social interaction and sexual reproduction between a pair. I plays a HUGE role in behaviours like maternal-infant bonding, milk release when breast feeding, empathy, generosityand even orgasm (yep, you read that right). Oxytocin increases when we hug or kiss a loved one BUT it is greatly stimulated during birth, breastfeeding and of course, sex.

Natural ways to increase Oxytocin:
Well, Oxytocin is called the love hormone for a reason and therefore one of the natural ways of increasing your Oxytocin would be to act with love in the following ways:
~ Hug
~ Kiss
~ Cuddle for a long period of time (while watching a movie, in bed etc)
~ Make love (it is proven that more Oxytocin is release when having sex with the person you LOVE)
~ Birthing and Breastfeeding (if you’re a women of course)
Other ways to increase Oxytocin include:
~ Being complimented
~ Smiling and laughing more often
~ Meditating or Praying
~ Giving to others
~ Expressing creativity (painting, drawing, playing music etc)
~ Funny enough, owning a pet 🙂

Endorphin aka “The Feel Good Chemical”:
Endorphins are morphine-like chemicals that are produced by the body that help reduce pain while triggering positive feelings of pleasure and euphoria. So in other words, they are the body’s natural painkiller. They are released during periods of exercise, emotional stress and pain (to help overcome them) and orgasm. They play an important role in the brain’s reward system which include activities such as eating, drinking, sex and maternal behaviour.

Natural ways to increase Endorphins:
~ Exercise, which is the most commonly known
~ Love and laughter
~ Dark chocolate
~ Spicy foods
~ Connect with others and nature
~ Dance yourself happy
~ Catch some rays (sunshine)
AND MORE!

And there you have it! Keep in mind all that you have read and make sure to apply most of it the next time you feel a little down.

Better, make these choices a part of your lifestyle and notice how regularly you feel amazing!!

Yours in Health,

Melanie