Welcome to a series of articles about Happiness. Please realise that anything stated is my opinion. Your life circumstances have probably been different from mine, so you will have your own thoughts and opinions.
Do our hormones have an effect on our happiness? I was talking with my beautiful Chinese friend Ching Ling last week, and she told me that our hormones play a significant part in our happiness.
Hormones are not respected at times. What do they have to do with happiness? They play a big role and we are wise to learn about what they do.
How Hormones Work
Hormones are special chemical messengers that control most of the body’s processes. The endocrine glands create these special messengers. Our body relies on them to function properly.
The way we treat our bodies and the substances we surround ourselves with affects how these hormones can help us.
What Hormones Are Related to Happiness?
Several hormones boost our happiness. The main ones include serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine.
Serotonin has become quite well known. It is a neurotransmitter, which takes messages from one part of the brain to another. Serotonin is crucial in preventing depression and other mental illness. Problems occur when you have a shortage, or when it is unable to do its job.
Oxytocin is known as the “love hormone” and has a variety of jobs, including helping improve social skills and minimizing fear.
Dopamine is another neurotransmitter, and is activated when something positive and unexpected happens.
Natural Ways to Balance Your Hormones
Hormones must maintain a fine balance to allow you to function optimally. Hormones out of balance cause short- and long-term health problems. Happiness depends on finding a healthy balance for the hormones in our body.
It is important to get sufficient sleep each night, exercise regularly and eliminate toxins from our daily life. Minimize stress 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 daily, and many you should strive to avoid.
Foods and nutrients that 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 and magnesium are important supplements. Eat plenty of vegetables, and sufficient clean proteins.
Your hormones play an essential role in your happiness. Keep them balanced and working for you properly, to ensure mental wellness. Follow the guidelines above, to balance your hormones and live a life of happiness and satisfaction.
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Nick Thorne is the founder of NicksDigitalSolutions Limited a company that specialises in Education, Training and Writing. He lives in Levin, New Zealand.