Being happy: It’s something we all strive for in our way. If it were up to each of us, we would choose to feel happy and relaxed every day. Although it may not seem like a realistic picture, the truth is that it is possible to increase happiness.
What Exactly Does Dopamine Do?
Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in inducing the feeling of happiness. It’s this stuff that makes you feel good on a hot summer day at the beach, but also, for example, if you eat a nice piece of chocolate or have just exercised for an hour.
The production of dopamine is enhanced by:
-Sport
-Good food
-In love
-Sex
All fun activities, right? When you get a dopamine boost from your body, that’s a feeling you want to last as long as possible. While, of course, it’s hard to feel good all the time, you can change your lifestyle to produce more dopamine.
In this way, dopamine will boost your motivation and make you want to achieve things. Plus, it also makes cutting knots much more effortless. In other words, dopamine is the neurotransmitter for a life of motivation, inspiration, and purposeful action!
What Is a Dopamine Deficiency?
More and more people suffer from chronic dopamine deficiency due to unhealthy nutrition. Now that dopamine’s effect and function are apparent, it’s also worth learning a little more about the most common symptoms of dopamine deficiency.
1) Indecisiveness and Sluggishness
A symptom of dopamine deficiency is indecisiveness and sluggishness. You find it hard to get moving, physically but also mentally!
2) Intense Cravings for Sweets
Finally, a dopamine deficiency can also be characterized by a strong desire to eat sweets. This is because the body tries to produce more dopamine through tasty food.
3) Fatigue and Lack of Energy
If your body cannot produce enough dopamine, you will feel tired, lifeless, and unmotivated. Feelings of depression can also accompany this.
How Can Dopamine Be Increased?
If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, your body may be producing too little dopamine. So the question is, of course, how can you increase your dopamine production naturally. Fortunately, there are many ways to do so. Here are some excellent tips for improving your dopamine.
1) Exercise Regularly
Exercising daily is also an excellent way to combat dopamine deficiency. It doesn’t even take much to boost dopamine production, just half an hour of moderately intense movement.
2) Antioxidants
One of the best ways to boost dopamine production is to consume sufficient antioxidants daily. Many foods contain these substances, such as broccoli, beets, peppers, and carrots. Most fruits, seeds and nuts, and all kinds of superfoods such as goji berries also contain a large number of antioxidants. You can also opt for green juice.
3) Sleep, sleep, sleep
Want to keep your dopamine high throughout the day? Then make sure you get enough sleep. During so-called deep sleep, all neurotransmitters are produced, including dopamine and serotonin.
4) Indirect and Natural Sources of Dopamine
Finally, you can also add certain foods to your diet that indirectly affect dopamine production. After all, dopamine is composed of other substances, such as tyrosine and phenylalanine. Avocado, tofu, dairy products, nuts, and bananas are just a few examples of foods that contain these substances.
Increasing the amount of dopamine in the body starts with a healthy lifestyle, that’s for sure. If you tune your body and mind to create a life full of happiness and fulfillment, you will get something in return: a healthy dose of dopamine, which gives you a sense of satisfaction and joy every day.
What do you do to keep your dopamine level high? Share it with us in the comments below!