How To Hack Your Happy Hormones

Did you know that there’s a direct link between your hormones and your mental health?

For example, cortisol which is produced by the adrenal glands can make us feel stressed out, and when we’re stressed out, we will likely have higher levels of cortisol.

Hormones can have a huge impact on mental health. Hormonal imbalances can contribute to mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

How do hormones affect emotions and behaviour?

Your hormone production is controlled by the hypothalamus in your brain. Hormones affect both good and bad moods. You can significantly improve and balance your emotional health and resolve mood disorders by regulating your hormones.

Hacking into your body’s mood-boosting hormones can help you be on your way to better mental and physical health. By following these simple tips every day, you will be on the path to a more balanced you.

Introducing the four feel-good hormones:

Dopamine- The Reward Chemical

Feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation are all mediated by dopamine.

-Eating food

Dopamine-boosting foods are usually high in protein and l-tyrosine, an amino acid that’s commonly found in protein. Here are some foods that release dopamine:

• Dark chocolate
• Apples
• Coffee
• Avocados
• Eggs

-Achieving a goal

When you feel good that you have achieved something, it’s because you have a surge of dopamine in the brain.

-Complete a task

Achieving a small goal can result in a positive feedback loop that makes you more motivated to work harder going forward.

-Self-care activities

Showering, skincare routines, and going on walks are all part of self-care, making you feel good and instantly lifting your mood.

Signs of low dopamine levels

• Depression.
• Problems with motivation or concentration.
• Memory issues.
• Restless leg syndrome.
• Shaking hands or other tremors.
• Changes in coordination.

Oxytocin- The Love Hormone

Oxytocin is a natural anti-stressor, reducing blood pressure and cortisol levels. It stimulates positive social interactions and promotes growth and healing.

-Socialising

Oxytocin has been found to influence trust, generosity and social awareness, alleviating anxiety in social group settings. When we spend time with friends the love and bonding neurochemical oxytocin is released.

-Physical touch

Hugging and handholding create feelings of calmness and relaxation.

-Petting animals

Social interactions between people and their pets increase the level of oxytocin released. It works in much the same way as it does when bonding a mother to her child. Simply petting your dog or cat will create a feeling of love, connection, and trust.

-Helping others

Known as the ‘happiness trifecta’ the act of giving or helping somebody else boosts the production of 3 neurochemicals, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. A volunteering role will also provide you with a sense of purpose and appreciation.

Signs of low oxytocin levels

• Poor communication.
• Irritability.
• Anxiety.
• Inability to feel affection.

Endorphins- The Painkiller

Endorphins are produced to help relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve mood.

-Exercising

In 20 minutes to half an hour, you can increase your endorphins by walking, jogging, cycling and hiking, they are all great ways to stay in shape and activate your brain’s neurotransmitters.

-Listen to music

Music is an overall great mood booster causing the production of serotonin and endorphins.

It elevates mood, reduces heart rate and lowers blood pressure. In addition to feeling euphoric, endorphins quell anxiety, ease pain, and stabilize the immune system.

-Watch a movie

Experiments conducted by an Oxford University team show that watching sad movies increases feelings of group bonding.

Signs of low endorphin levels

• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Body aches and pains.
• Addiction.
• Sleep issues.
• Impulsive actions.

Serotonin- The Mood Stabiliser

Serotonin plays a key role in such body functions as mood, sleep, digestion, nausea, wound healing, bone health, and blood clotting.

-Sun exposure

Without enough exposure to sunlight, your serotonin levels could drop, causing you to have less energy and feel lower in mood. To maintain healthy serotonin levels, try to spend some time every day in natural light.

-Be in nature

Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that alters your mood. Getting some fresh air is a simple way to improve your mood. Being outside encourages physical activity.

-Mindfulness

Calm, relaxing, and positive thoughts will produce more serotonin, meditation has been found to induce positivity, therefore, creating a natural cycle of happiness.

Signs of low serotonin levels

• Depression
• Anxiety.
• Sleep problems.
• Digestive problems.
• Suicidal behaviour.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Panic disorders.

While we possess the natural ability to produce happiness, it’s important to recognise the hormones we deem as negative and the important role they play in the makeup of us as humans. We would not appreciate happiness without never having felt sadness, relief without fear, or love without hate.

The hormones and subsequent emotions we produce create a complex cycle that directly contributes to our mental health. Keeping them in balance can be tricky, in those instances we can’t balance them, we have to consult a medical professional.