Bharat SainiLast Updated on August 25, 2022 by Bharat Saini
Feeling good isn’t an emotion that we feel all the time. There will be moments where you feel particularly blue or even start spiralling towards more serious mood disorders. Some people find that their job is making them miserable, or their sex life is bringing them down. They might then try and find a new job or try something new like a sexual cane, but even that might not be enough to really help them feel better. Trying to stay positive isn’t always the solution either, as it can actually be to do with your hormones as to why you don’t feel so good.
So, keep reading and discover exactly what the feel good hormones are and how you can boost them.
Dopamine
Dopamine is one of the most popularly known feel good hormones is dopamine. This hormone is to do with the reward system in your brain and it’s also related to pleasure and memory. Dopamine can be triggered by numerous things, from sex to receiving gifts, to simply tasting your favourite food. The rush of dopamine that you then experience reinforces the emotions you feel during that moment, making you remember it and want it again. Dopamine is thought to do a lot more than make you feel good too. In fact, dopamine is actually prescribed to people suffering from low blood pressure and even septic shock. So, it’s no wonder that if your dopamine levels are low, you won’t feel good!
Serotonin
Serotonin is another common feel good hormone that a lot of people have heard of before. This hormone plays a part in the regulation of sleep, digestion, mood, and even wound healing. If your levels are too low or high, then it can have negative effects on your body both mentally and physically. Surprisingly, serotonin is actually found in your intestines, with only around 10% of it being in the brain. When your serotonin levels are at the correct level, you’ll feel a lot more emotionally stable and find it much easier to relax. If your levels are low, there is a chance you could start to suffer from mood disorders.
Oxytocin
A lesser known hormone is oxytocin which is sometimes called the “love hormone” as it can be responsible for the emotions you feel when dealing with desire and sexual attraction. However, oxytocin’s primary job is helping the womb contract during labour and encourage lactation. However, it is also present in men and has been found to promote the movement of sperm and increase the production of testosterone. Although oxytocin does have a more functional role in the body, it does actually help strengthen the bond between parent and child and general trust and empathy in other relationships. It’s thought that levels of oxytocin increase through physical affection as well, so you may notice that you feel closer to someone after hugging them or being within a close proximity to them for a period of time.
Endorphins
Endorphins are a hormone that is naturally released after you engage in certain activities like exercise or sex. It’s also produced when you’re faced with stress as it’s your body’s way of trying to cope with it. This is because endorphins trigger positive emotions in the body and can be self-soothing. For example, if you were to hurt yourself while hiking, your body may release endorphins to help you cope with the pain. Alternatively, if you’ve been waiting all day to get home and eat your favourite meal, you’ll also be flooded with endorphins once you sit down to eat. The higher the endorphins in your body, the better your mood will be and the easier you’ll be able to process stress. This then helps you to feel in more control over your emotions and keep you feeling happier for longer.
How To Boost Your Feel Good Harmones
There are lots of ways you can boost your feel good hormones, and these methods don’t require medication. One of the simplest ways you can increase them is by spending time outdoors. Studies have shown that even being outdoors for 15 minutes a day is enough to enhance them and improve your mood. Exercise is also said to be incredibly good for these hormones too as it releases lots of endorphins. It doesn’t just boost these though, it actually helps to produce more dopamine and serotonin too. They always say laughter is the best medicine, and if you want to increase your feel good hormones, then this is definitely true. One study showed that laughing with friends is said to trigger a flood of endorphins, helping you to maintain your happiness long after you’ve stopped giggling. If you have a pet, then it’s also good to give them a pet. Research shows that dog owners often see an increased amount of oxytocin, so why not use this as an excuse to sit and cuddle with your furry friend for half an hour or so. Sleep is crucial to the production of dopamine, so you want to make sure you’re getting enough of it each night if you want to wake up feeling good.
There are lots of ways you can boost your feel good hormones, and sometimes the natural ways are best. If you’re feeling a bit blue, then stick on your favourite comedy movie and have a good chuckle. Or if you’re starting to feel stuck in a rut with your job or home life, try spending more time outdoors or exercising, and you’ll soon start to feel the difference. Feel good hormones aren’t exactly easy to balance, but with a healthy lifestyle you’ll most likely feel their benefits. So, if you want to boost your mood, make sure you think about these hormones and start taking steps to increase them. You’ll be feeling a lot happier in no time!
