Have you ever wondered why a beautiful sunset can lift your spirits, while a stressful day can leave you feeling drained? Humans often link it to stress, happiness, relaxation or the culmination of different emotions. But scientifically, we experience these emotions due to the regulation of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins, which are known as the happy hormones. These can uplift our mood, reduce stress and improve our overall well-being.
Certain daily habits can boost happy hormones in the body, which could lead us to live a happy life:
Daily Exercise:
Regular exercises can boost our mood, concentration and alertness. It can improve your physical health and physique, reduce your waistline, increase your sexual life and even help extend your lifespan. As we work out, our body produces endorphins, also referred to as feel-good hormones, which can help relieve pain, reduce stress and improve our sense of well-being.
Socialising
Maintaining good relationships with your friends, family and colleagues is important for your emotional well-being. As we interact with people around us, our body released the hormone oxytocin, which is often referred to as the love hormone and is linked to a feeling of bonding and trust. Hugging, kissing, cuddling, intimate relationships or even just simply talking to people can trigger oxytocin production, which can strengthen your bond with people too.
Sleeping
Who doesn’t feel good after taking a nap? Getting proper sleep impacts our overall mood and mental well-being. Sleep deprivation can cause low levels of serotonin and other mood-regulating hormones in the body. Even health experts advise us to sleep at least for 7 to 9 hours every day. Those who sleep less than that might have more health issues than those who sleep 7 or more hours. Avoiding caffeine in the late evening, reducing irregular or daytime naps, following a proper sleep schedule and avoiding alcohol can help you sleep better.
Follow a healthy diet
Needless to say, what we eat affects our health. A healthy diet is the foundation for your optimal growth, development and mental well-being. Certain foods can help boost happy hormones in our bodies. Yoghurt, beans, eggs and meat with low-fat content can increase dopamine levels, which help to give you feelings of pleasure, satisfaction and motivation. Also, food items like fish, chicken, milk, sunflower seeds and peanuts are rich in tryptophan, which is needed for normal growth in infants.
Practice mindfulness
This one is among the most important factors for our mental and emotional well-being. Having a positive mindset can strongly influence our mental health. As per research, practicing mindfulness can boost serotonin levels, a hormone associated with emotions of well-being and happiness. A study published in The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology discovered that those who keep a gratitude journal experience more positive emotions and have a stronger sense of well-being.
Meditation
Regular meditation is another important factor impacting our mental well-being. Levels of dopamine, serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) all rise in response to meditation. Spending just a few minutes of meditation per day can train our brain to focus on the present moment, resulting in increased happiness and emotional well-being.
Indulge in fun activities
Engage in activities that make you happy. Whether it is watching a film, playing a sport, gardening or any other activity, it can trigger the release of dopamine in your body, which can help you boost your mood.
Try out these easy daily habits to live a happy and peaceful life.
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