Life is like a roller coaster, sometimes you’ll be riding up towards your goals and dreams, and sometimes you’ll be on your way down. Both are natural parts of life. Much to our dismay, we can’t control our life’s course. One thing we can do is choose whether we scream in fear or enjoy the ride. A great way to ensure you’ll be able to appreciate your journey to the fullest is making sure you have the right amount of dopamine in your brain. But what is it, exactly?
Just like Serotinon, Doampine is s a chemical messenger in our brains. It is in charge of many important functions such as motivation, moods, sleep, memory, and behavioral regulation. Having the right amount of dopamine is key to resilience and overall satisfaction with life. So what can you do to increase your dopamine and make sure you’ll be coasting through life’s lows?
Sleep More
We all get told that we should get at least nine hours of sleep a night. But is it actually that important? Well, according to experts it is. If you don’t get at least seven hours of sleep, your dopamine receptors don’t function as well as they should, which means you are more likely to feel cranky and sad.
Listen to Music
You probably know what effect music has on you, it can change your mood in an instant. If you feel low or unmotivated just put some music on. Create a playlist of some of your favorite happy songs. A 2011 study shows that when you listen to pleasant music, your dopamine levels are increased.
Eat Healthy
Most of us try to watch what we eat to make sure our body looks good. But did you know that your diet also influences your happiness levels? Any food that is rich in tyrosine will increase your dopamine levels. Tyrosine is an amino acid that helps our body produce dopamine. In order to get it in your system, you should make sure to eat plenty of eggs, almonds, and fish.
Exercise
Exercise is also known to increase dopamine levels. Scientists don’t know why it is exactly, but we all know how great it feels to be after a workout. The reason why you feel relaxed and elated after you move your body is because your dopamine level increases.