Hormones… they certainly don’t get much respect at times. What do they have to do with happiness? Actually, hormones play a big role in our feelings and other factors. Learn what we can do to capitalize on them.
How Hormones Work
Hormones are special chemical messengers that control most of the body’s processes. The endocrine glands create these special messengers and our body relies on them to function properly.
How we treat our bodies and the substances we surround ourselves with makes a difference in how these hormones are able to help us. By learning what they do and how we can assist them in doing their job, we will be closer to our goal of happiness.
What Hormones Are Related to Happiness?
There are several hormones that can boost one’s happiness. The main ones include serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine.
Serotonin has become quite well known in recent times. It is a neurotransmitter, which takes messages from one part of the brain to another. Serotonin plays a crucial roles in keeping depression and other mental illness at bay. Problems can occur when you have either a shortage of this hormone or when it is unable to do its job properly.
Oxytocin is known as the “love hormone” and has a variety of jobs, which include helping people improve their social skills and minimizing fear.
Dopamine is another neurotransmitter, and it is activated when a positive and unexpected circumstance happens – which is why it is known for its role in helping the brain learn about rewards.
Natural Ways to Balance Your Hormones
Hormones need to maintain a fine balance in order to allow you to function at optimum levels. Too much or too little of any hormone will cause short and long-term problems. Since our happiness is dependent on this, we are wise to do our best to find a healthy balance for all the hormones in our body, in order to create an environment that supports feeling good.
Some important ways to keep your hormones in a good balance and working order are to get sufficient sleep each night, exercise regularly, eat healthy and eliminate toxins from your daily life. Minimize stress in your life as much as possible, and avoid birth control pills if possible.
Foods to Balance Your Hormones
Food plays an important role in the balance of hormones. There are many foods that you should make a point of eating on a daily basis, and many you should strive to avoid.
Foods and nutrients that can help your body balance hormones and keep you happy include healthy fats such as those found in coconut oil, avocados, nuts and wild salmon. Vitamin D is an important supplement, as is magnesium. A sufficient amount of clean proteins should be eaten, as well as plenty of vegetables.
Your hormones play an essential role in your feelings of happiness. Keeping them balanced and working for you properly is important in order to ensure feelings of mental wellness.
