Happy chemicals

Hormones are chemicals produced by different glands across your body. They travel through the bloodstream, acting as messengers and playing a part in many bodily processes.

One of these important functions? Helping regulate your mood.

Certain hormones are known to help promote positive feelings, including happiness and pleasure.

These “happy hormones” include:

• Dopamine. Also known as the “feelgood” hormone, dopamine is a hormone and neurotransmitter that’s an important part of your brain’s reward system. Dopamine is associated with pleasurable sensations, along with learning, memory, motor system function, and more.
• Serotonin. This hormone helps regulate your mood as well as your sleep, appetite, digestion, learning ability, and memory.
• Oxytocin. Often called the “love hormone,” oxytocin is essential for childbirth, breastfeeding, and strong parent-child bonding. This hormone can also help promote trust, empathy, and bonding in relationships, and oxytocin levels generally increase with physical affection like kissing, cuddling, and sex.
• Endorphins. Endorphins are your body’s natural pain reliever, which your body produces in response to stress or discomfort. Endorphin levels also tend to increase when you engage in reward-producing activities, such as eating, working out, or having sex.

Here’s a look at how to make the most of these natural mood-boosters.
Spend time outside
Make time for exercise
Laugh with a friend
Cook and enjoy a meal with a loved one
Listen to music, or make some
Meditate
Get a good night’s sleep
Manage stress
Get a massage
 

Sources: Health Line