The 4 Happiness Chemicals: What They Are & How to Boost Them Naturally

Ever wondered why some days you feel amazing while others feel like a struggle? Your brain’s happiness chemicals might be the reason. By understanding how to boost them, you can take control of your mood and wellbeing.

There are four happiness chemicals or hormones in your brain that you can release to feel happy in your body. You can make a daily habit of having one or more in your day-to-day routine to help you feel good.

Dopamine: The Motivation Chemical

This type of neurotransmitter gives you pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation. Low levels can cause a dip in energy, moodiness, and unproductivity. This may happen if there is stress in your life, lack of sleep, too much sugar and saturated fat, and sometimes it may be an underlying mental condition.

To increase your Dopamine levels, you can:

Exercise
Meditate
Cross things off a small to-do list
Listen to music
Get a good night’s sleep

Oxytocin: The Love & Bonding Hormone

This is a hormone and a neurotransmitter. It’s higher in women than men as it is responsible for women’s contractions in labour and breastfeeding. Oxytocin can regulate emotions and pro-social behaviours, such as bonding and trust. The hormone gives you warm fuzzy feelings, helps you feel love and promotes acts of selflessness. If your levels are low, you may feel irritable, unaffectionate, anxious, and struggle with poor communication.

To boost your Oxytocin, you can:

Go for walks in the sunshine
Giving someone a hug
Pets
Socialising
Giving a gift

Serotonin: The Mood Stabilizer

This chemical carries messages between the nerve cells in your body. It helps regulate your behaviour and stabilise your mood. When your levels are low, you may have low energy, get irritated, have negative thoughts, and have a decreased sex drive.

To boost your Serotonin levels, you can:

Go for a walk in the sun
Meditate
Exercise
Keep a gratitude journal
Practise positive thinking

Endorphins: The Natural Painkiller

This chemical releases stress and pain and, reduces your discomfort, improves your wellbeing and relieves suffering. If you have an endorphin deficiency, your mental and physical health can be affected.

To increase your Endorphins, you can:

Laugh
Have fun
Eat chocolate
Exercise
Meditate
Dance

By incorporating any of these small habits into your routine, you can train your brain to release more happiness chemicals naturally. Start with just one today and see how it transforms your mood and energy!