Joy is different. There is joy, calm and light, giving us transparent happiness, and there is joy, exuberant, unrestrained, overflowing with pleasures and euphoria. Now, these two different joys make two different hormones. Unbridled joy and euphoria is the dopamine hormone. Joy is light and calm - this is the hormone serotonin.
Let's clarify: initially, serotonin is not a hormone, but a brain neurotransmitter, i.e. a substance that transmits brain impulses between nerve cells. It turns into a hormone only when it enters the bloodstream.
Where is serotonin found?
Serotonin is present in many internal organs (intestines, muscles, cardiovascular system, etc.), but a huge part of it is found in the brain, where it affects the functioning of cells and transfers information from one part of the brain to another. Serotonin regulates the work of cells that are responsible for a person's mood, memory, social behavior, intimate desire, performance, concentration, etc.
If there is a lack of serotonin in the brain, the symptoms of this are bad mood, increased anxiety, loss of strength, distraction, lack of interest in the opposite sex, depression, including in the most serious forms. A lack of serotonin is also responsible for those cases when we cannot get the object of adoration out of our head, or, alternatively, we cannot get rid of obsessive or frightening thoughts.
It is very useful for psychologists to know that not all psychological problems are solved by talking, sometimes the client needs to correct his internal chemistry …
Indeed, if a person increases the level of serotonin, depression disappears, he ceases to cycle on unpleasant experiences, and a good mood, joy of life, a surge of strength and vigor, activity, attraction to the opposite sex quickly come to the place of problems. Thus, we can say that serotonin is an antidepressant that drives away depression and makes a person's life joyful and happy.
Promotional video:
How to increase your serotonin level?
The simplest and most affordable is to be more often in the light, under the bright rays of the sun, or at least arrange the best lighting at home. If a couple of extra bright bulbs take depressive thoughts away from you, it might be worth it.
The second, cheaper remedy is to start monitoring your posture. A bent back and stooped back causes a decrease in serotonin levels and almost automatically leads to the appearance of shame in some, guilt in others. But an upright posture causes an increase in serotonin levels, increases self-esteem and mood.
The third way to increase your serotonin levels is to eat foods that will make you serotonin. It is curious that serotonin as such is absent in products. The foods contain something else - the amino acid tryptophan, from which the body produces serotonin.
The record holder for tryptophan content is hard cheese. Slightly less tryptophan is found in processed cheese. Next come lean meat, chicken eggs, lentils. Also, a large amount of tryptophan is found in oyster mushrooms, beans, cottage cheese, millet and buckwheat.
Also, if the body has a low level of serotonin, you need B vitamins. They are found in the liver, buckwheat, oatmeal, lettuce and beans. You also need foods that contain magnesium (it also promotes the production of serotonin). These are rice, prunes, dried apricots, bran, seaweed. To raise serotonin levels, also eat bananas, melon, dates, pumpkin, and oranges.
Besides proper nutrition, there are other sources of serotonin. Physical activity helps increase serotonin. Spend at least 20 minutes a day exercising or doing any kind of sport (running, swimming, dancing, etc.) and you will soon be in a good mood and feel much better. You cannot play sports - at least walk.
Complement physical activity with good sleep: you need to get enough sleep to produce serotonin. Fresh air (and again, the sun!) Will also help increase serotonin levels. Communicate more with friends and people you like, do your favorite thing or hobby, listen to your favorite music, give yourself more pleasant minutes - this will definitely help.
