The Four Happy Hormones

4th day of #Blogchatter daily write challenge  

In the modern day life style, humans face a lot more challenges with each passing day. As for example, when I started working in 1981, although it was less easy to land a job, retaining it was not such a challenge. Many expected to complete their work innings of 25-30 years in the same company. Today although the pay is a lot higher, particularly in the services sector like IT, there is the anxiety of job loss at the drop of a hat. 

Technologies could become obsolete abruptly or  changes occur  in the business scenario due to unexpected developments like the sudden appearance  of a deadly  pandemic like Covid 19. Add to these the pressures of maintaining healthy relationships even as  both partners in the family are working and having equally strong career ambitions, Pressures also come from the need to keep up with the Joneses and handling the new, colourful world of social media. No wonder stress levels have gone up and the corresponding increase in the stress hormone, cortisol. 

It is in such a situation that it becomes necessary to look out for the happy hormones and ensure that they are present in our body and mind  in sufficient levels. The other day I was watching a video that explained about the four happy hormones viz dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphin and what we can do to enhance it. 

Dopamine, the feel good one is generated by achievements and the praises connected with achievements. It is also enhanced by extending praise and compliments to others. Therefore, at the job where we spend a big chunk of our waking life, we have opportunities not only to receive appreciation but also appreciate others thereby increasing our dopamine levels. As one who has retired from formal work, I look to my blogs and posts in literary groups where I not only receive appreciation but also appreciate the creative outputs of other members. 

Serotonin wards off bad vibes and we get it from light and the warmth of the sun. Fifteen minutes under the sun in the morning and afternoon would do us a lot of good to ensure serotonin levels. Other ways are travelling, music and dancing to enhance moods. 

Oxytocin can be raised by good relationships and therefore more time with family, friends and kids will do a lot of good for enhancing this love hormone. Here, the initiative has to come from ourselves, busy as people are these days with so many preoccupations. Playing with children and grandchildren can be very good in this regard. As my grandson lives far away, I keep in touch by watching his videos of happy smiles and high energy. 

Endorphin is the natural beater of pains. It is enhanced by exercise, music and meditation. Something as simple as walking can meet the exercise requirement. You can sing to yourself, if reluctant to sing to others. In any case there is no barrier to listening to as much music as you want. As for mediation,  more and more evidence through scientific studies are proving the efficacy of mediation for calming the nerves and having a sense of peace and well being. 

We can see from the above that quite a few things are common for enhancing the happy hormones. We   not only enhance serotonin levels but beat Vitamin D deficiency by taking in the sunlight everyday. Music and dance do the trick not only for raising serotonin but also endorphin hormones. As I was sitting at the veranda of my home, eyes closed and feeling the warm pleasant rays of the sun on my body, I was contemplating on the suggestion of travel as a way of enhancing serotonin levels. 

For many, financial or age-related limitations could place actual physical travel out of bounds. Yet, I had read somewhere that you can travel to anywhere you want through your imaginative mind and obtain similar feelings of satisfaction and well-being. So that is what I experimented today. With eyes closed, I travelled to a beach scenario where sun was gently coming through number of palm trees all over the beach. Having got my fill, I then moved to a mountainous terrain and then to the backwaters of Kerala. Tomorrow, I could visit a lush green forest and watch deers playing happily near a water source. Ah, it is truly a divine feeling. Wishing all my readers a great time in enhancing the four happy hormones in their mind and body!