Happy Hormones
Everyone of us at some point of time goes through low phases in our lives when we feel unhappy and sad. Our mind and body does not seem to be in sync. We feel lethargic, deprived of sleep, tired throughout the day. Our appetite gets low and sometimes we also feel like crying all the time. At such times, lots of people suggest us listening to music, reading good books or something that can make us feel good and happy. Have you ever noticed that after involving ourselves in such things, we actually start feeling happy? Do you know the actual science behind such phenomenon: feeling happy, sad or depressed? Yes, there is actually a science behind all this ! Our body releases certain chemicals or hormones that make us feel either happy or sad. Levels of these chemicals in our body decide our state of emotions.
Serotonin
Serotonin is one such hormone that is associated with maintaining our overall mood. For our feeling of well being, optimum level of serotonin is necessary. Lower levels of serotonin can induce anxiety, anger, irritation, discomfort, depression, restlessness and insomnia. Lower levels of serotonin have also been linked to obesity (sometimes instead of low appetite, craving for food also get increased that result in obesity) and suicidal attempts.
How can Serotonin Levels be Increased in the Body?
1. Intake of food rich in proteins - Serotonin is generated by amino acid called tryptophan which our body gets by having adequate amount of proteins. Foods such as eggs, milk, cheese, legumes, soya, beans and nuts have been found to be rich in tryptophans. Even dark chcocolates have been found to increase the levels of serotonin and that is the reason why several times you must have noticed people advising you to have a peice of chocolate when you are feeling low or depressed.
2. Exercising - Do some kind of physical activity may be walking, dancing, swimming or running. These kind of activities also help improve the serotonin levels.
3. Pamper Yourself - Involving yourself in activities like getting a head/body massage, going out for a movie or a vacation can help increase serotonin levels in the body. Also, getting little social, interacting with friends can also prove to be helpful.
4. Intake of Serotonin Supplements - This is an unnatural way of increasing serotonin levels and is usually prescribed by doctors to patients who are highly depressed.
Endorphins
The other set of happy hormones are the endorphins which are basically natural pain and stress suppressors. They reduce the feeling of pain and also bring us a feeling of well being. They are generally secreted by pituitary gland when we are in great pain, stress or are doing some kind of heavy strenous exercise. They are also produced during certain activities like meditation, yoga, massages therapies and even sex. There are certain foods also which when consumed increase the secretion of endorphins in our body. Two such known food items are chocolates and chilli peppers.
Drugs like opium, heroin and coccainne also do the same job as endorphins. These drugs interact with the opiate receptors in the brain tissue thereby reducing the feeling of pain and stress.
Dopamine
You must have seen people in your offices who get very excited and happy when they get an increment of a promotion and also some people who do not get much excited with such things. All this is related to another hormone which is called Dopamine. This hormone is responsible to make us feel motivated and happy. Higher the level of dopamine or higher the responsiveness of brain to this chemical, higher will be the motivation and feeling of happiness.
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