I’ve often heard it said that happiness is a state of mind. I think it to be more than that, though. I think it is more an intense feeling. And for me, it is my ultimate aspiration.
In the future, I can delve into the subject further. For now, however, I’ll venture into the hacks or tricks that you can apply to change your state to that of a happy one. Hormones play a huge role in this.
Endorphins
Endorphins relieve pain, reduce stress and boost feelings of pleasure and wellbeing. So, to handle this part of happiness, you might want to try the following:
· Exercise. Exercise will help you to activate the endorphins in your body and since it’s something meant for your wellbeing, it’ll boost your feelings of pleasure. Also, it has been proven to be a great stress reliever, evidenced by the fact that when some people are mad, they workout. Boy, I wish I could be that way instead of finding comfort in food!
· Vent. When you vent, this actually can actually make you feel better. For me, it helps when I vent to someone who actually is on my side with whatever I come to them with. And luckily for the people in my circle, I am that person to them, too. I actually find it a blessing to be able to talk to someone about your feelings when frustrated, and then walk away from that feeling better about yourself. So, when it comes to this, you have to vent to the right person, as when you go to some people with a problem or express your anger, they will make you feel worse. You can’t have that.
Serotonin
Serotonin is that hormone which stabilizes your mood, improves your sleep, and manages your emotions, appetite and digestion. To get more of that, you may consider the following:
· Thinking positive thoughts. I find this to be one of those things which is easier said than done. I find that a good place to start is to focus on the things that you have going for you in life. No matter how bad things may get, or how much pressure you are under, there will always be something to be grateful for. This one time I was folding my laundry and I just thought, “Wow. All these clothes are mine! What a blessing.” Another thing when it comes to thinking positive thoughts is that you shouldn’t make any comparisons as that takes away from the good. Simply focus on the good.
· Listen to nature sounds. Funnily enough, this actually does help improve your sleep. I’m sure that most of us have been able to sleep better when there was the pitter patter of the rain outside. Luckily, the internet has made it possible to stream nature sounds. You can literally find videos on YouTube, upwards of eight hours in length, of nature sounds. And when you visit the comments of said videos, a lot of people will say how the sounds are so relaxing to them and that they have helped them sleep better.
Oxytocin
This hormone is also known as “the love hormone”. Oxytocin is the one responsible for those warm and fuzzy feelings that encourage us to bond with others. Here are some ways to achieve this effect:
· Do a good deed. Sometimes, these little acts of service that we do for others just warm our hearts. And though the act itself may be small, the effect that it has on the other person, and their gratitude for it, makes all the difference in the world. These good deeds oughtn’t even be monetary. One time, I helped a man in a wheelchair cross the road. I had so many things in my arms and it was hard to do, but that deed is what made my day that day.
· Talk to a loved one on the phone. Luckily, we can connect with people even when we aren’t in their presence. I find that talking to a loved one, namely my cousin, just has a great effect upon me. It truly makes my heart full. And it renews my appreciation for him. Also, there’s just a power in being able to build someone up and tell them what they mean to you. And even talking about the trivial things strengthens your connection.
Dopamine
According to research, dopamine is that “hit” that we feel when we spend time on social media. It’s that feeling of instant gratification. And it’s the feel-good hormone which is responsible for managing the brain’s reward centre. It can be attained through:
· Completing a small task. Completion of a small task, for example, a task on your to-do list makes you feel good. It brings a sense of fulfilment. And so, my advice is to write down the things you want to get done each day. Even the trivial things that you would do regardless. So that when you check these items off your list, it’ll be fulfilling and you can get your hit of dopamine.
· Get a good night’s sleep. Sleep is an important part of being happy. When you feel well rested like a SIM, your mood will improve.
And that sums up how to trick your mind into staying happy. It’s the little things that you can implement in every day that can make a consequential difference to your overall state.
