Hormone Hacks for Happiness and Success

Happiness plays a significant role in the success of an individual. People postpone happiness based on external rewards without realizing there is no end to desires, no matter how much they have achieved. When you are ambitious, you always set a new target and wish that to be your lifestyle. If there is a gap between your present life and the ideal life, you tend to postpone your happiness with the excuse that you can be happy only if you achieve that target. Your goal could be education, relationship, finance, health, or other goals. Once you reach your goal, the excitement stays only for a few moments, and you start setting a new target. What is the use of toiling yourself to get what you want? Don't you think life is much better without complexity if you do not expect much from life?

The bad news is that whether you accomplish something or not, there is always room for improvement, and you may compare your success with others and feel dejected. That is why the feeling of dissatisfaction is a never-ending vicious cycle.

The good news is that there is a solution to overcome this challenge. The first step is the realization that happiness never comes from material pleasure. Material pursuits have only a temporary effect on your mind. When you accomplish a task, you start chasing something else that might give you a new high. The remedy is to conquer happiness from the inside. When you do not attach happiness based on external circumstances, you should look inward to achieve that.

To achieve intrinsic happiness, we should understand the roles of hormones. Hormones are vital chemical substances in the body that are secreted by endocrine glands and transported through the blood to various organs. They are involved in the many functions of the body, for example, eating, sleeping, sexual desire, birth, and also emotions and feelings. In short, they are involved in maintaining our physical and mental health.

You might have learned of various hormones and their functions in our body. Now let us see how to secrete those hormones for happiness and success.

 

Endorphin

Endorphin is a happy hormone that is important in our physical and mental well-being. Few people prefer to work out in the morning as they feel great. Endorphins also help in reducing anxiety and depression. That is why you should exercise or walk for at least thirty minutes. 

The hormone is also released when you have fun with your family, friends, and relatives. That is why people enjoy watching comedy shows or humorous scenes and even like someone who cracks jokes. Eating spicy food also aids in releasing endorphin hormones. However, I won't highly recommend it as it has health side effects.

Dopamine

Dopamine is also popularly known as a conscious hormone, as it keeps a person mentally conscious. It is related to motivation, memory, attention, and concentration. Dopamine is triggered when a person is rewarded or praised. Every child wants to run and indulge in one or the other activities because it makes them happy. However, after a certain age, on attaining adulthood, people are well adjusted to endorphins, and now they want a new high. That is why most people base their happiness on accomplishing something worthwhile. People at this age set professional and financial goals and work towards achieving them. Their happiness depends on an appreciation of the task performed well and even tangible rewards such as a hike in salary, promotion, and other perks.

One can naturally improve dopamine levels in the brain and hence, can effectively improve motivation, concentration, and mood. If you set a goal and you accomplish you feel happy. When you keep a high target, be it owning a house or buying a car, you feel great not just for the comfort but also gives a sense of achievement. Researchers have found that people feel happy after shopping even if they have to spend from their pocket because their purchasing power gives them a sense of accomplishment. In addition to achieving big or small tasks, eating your favorite food or getting enough sleep also releases dopamine.

If individuals consume foods such as salmon, blueberries, avocado, and lavender, these will also help in secreting serotonin and dopamine.

Meditation, listening to music, expressing gratitude, and doing something new also release dopamine.

Serotonin

Serotonin is released when we are present in the present moment. It is responsible for improving sleep quality and has a calming effect. Serotonin is involved in vital bodily functions such as appetite control and libido.

There is a fascinating aspect of this hormone. After secreting enough dopamine by achieving a certain level of financial and social status, it is time to give back to society. Therefore, we can find many wealthy people who donate their money to charity organizations and join non-profit organizations for social change. They find happiness in serving others in one or the other way. One can secrete serotonin by doing charity and sharing knowledge through blogs or giving time to someone by guiding them.

In order to secrete this happy hormone, one should exercise 30-45 minutes, eat carbohydrate-rich foods, get regular sun exposure, get enough, and also not forget to consume vitamin B-rich foods such as cereals, nuts, and sprouts. It goes without saying that by helping others, one can secrete this hormone that benefits both the giver and the receiver.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is also called the love hormone. Oxytocin is triggered when we are connecting with others. This hormone is responsible for keeping people together, bringing family members closer, and increase in love between couples, parents, and children. This hormone protects against all kinds of stress and reduces fear and anxiety. This hormone plays a significant role in well-being and social bonding. Higher levels of oxytocin are associated with increased self-confidence and emotional support in couples.

People like to spend more time with someone who shares similar interests. It is a good idea to discuss with your friends or spouse topics that interest both of you. Caressing pets and physical intimacy with a life partner or children by hugging, holding hands, and expressing love and affection can secrete oxytocin.

If you come to know which hormone is released in my brain by writing this blog, then there are no brownie points for that, as knowing itself is a reward. Your feedback is always appreciated.