Happiness: fuel for everyday life
Human development is a complex process involving the integration of biological, psychological and social factors. One of the key aspects of human development is the experience of positive emotions such as joy, contentment and satisfaction. These emotions are often associated with the release of chemicals in the brain, substances that play a crucial role in shaping our emotional experiences and overall well-being.
Happiness is an important element in our lives, and its lack also affects health.
Chemicals, also known as neurotransmitters, are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons in the brain. The four main happiness chemicals are dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins. These chemicals play a vital role in emotional regulation because they are responsible for experiencing positive emotions such as pleasure, happiness and love. Dopamine, for example, is associated with reward and motivation, while serotonin is linked to feelings of contentment and well-being (Burgdorf & Panksepp, 2006).
Research has shown that people who experience more positive emotions have better emotional regulation skills, such as the ability to manage stress, understand emotions, and cope with difficult situations (Fredrickson, 2004). This is because happy chemicals act as natural mood stabilizers, helping to regulate our emotional experiences and keeping us in a balanced state.
Happy Chemicals and Social Behavior:
Happiness chemicals also play an important role in social behavior because they are involved in forming social bonds and regulating social interactions.
Dopamine: provides motivation, learning and enjoyment. It gives the determination to achieve goals, to fulfill desires and needs.
Oxytocin: it provides a sense of trust, motivates us to build and maintain intimate relationships. It is also known as the "cuddle hormone" or the "love hormone" because it plays a role in bonding. This hormone generates the desire to stay with those we "trust", which creates a feeling of safety or comfort. It helps our body adapt to many different emotional and social situations.
Serotonin: it rewards us with a good feeling when we feel relevant. It is the pleasure we experience when we have a social contest, the loyalty of others or achieve a certain status.
Endorphins: releases a brief euphoria that masks physical exertion. It is a pain and stress response that also helps relieve anxiety and depression.
Happy chemicals also play a crucial role in cognitive development, especially in the areas of learning and memory. Dopamine, for example, has been linked to reward-based learning, with individuals experiencing higher levels of dopamine exhibiting greater motivation to learn and better memory retention (Schultz, 2015).
Overall, the role of happiness chemicals in human development is complex and multifaceted, with effects on emotional regulation, social behavior, and cognitive development. Understanding the importance of happy chemicals can help us promote positive emotional experiences and overall well-being, both in ourselves and in others.
Here are some of the common symptoms of happiness chemical deficiencyi.
Dopamine deficiency is manifested by: procrastination; low self-esteem; lack of motivation or enthusiasm; low energy or fatigue. To regulate this deficit: meditate regularly (increases dopamine with 65%); exercise regularly (whatever form of exercise you enjoy most will give you the biggest boost in dopamine levels); organize a list of things to do (TO DO list).
Oxytocin deficiency: feeling of loneliness; stress; a feeling of disconnection from your relationships. How to increase oxytocin naturally: physical touch, hugs, hugs, eye contact and even handshakes; socializing (connecting or talking with friends and family).
For serotonin: low self-esteem; heightened sensitivity; anxiety and panic attacks; mood swings. How to increase serotonin levels naturally: exercise (increases serotonin and dopamine, but also helps balance them), cold showers, sun (10-15 minutes of sun a day can increase serotonin and vitamin D).
Endorphin deficiency: anxiety; insomnia; impulsive behavior. How to raise endorphins naturally: Laughing and crying, creating music or art, eating dark chocolate and spicy foods.
Happiness plays a crucial role in human development, shaping our emotional experiences, social behaviors and cognitive development. By understanding the role of happy chemicals in human functioning, we can promote positive emotional experiences and overall well-being, both in ourselves and in others. Ultimately, happy chemicals are an essential component of human development, contributing to our ability to thrive and flourish throughout life.
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*Article written by Veronica Dunga, KEN Academy trainer.
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