Is It Love or Are Feel-Good Hormones Making You Euphoric?

Picture beginning your day with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee — it’s like a little assurance of comfort amidst a busy morning. Or that feeling of pure contentment when you finally hop on the couch after a long day, your pet snuggling by your side. Maybe it’s the burst of joy from catching up with a friend or the quiet peace of a walk at sunset. These aren’t just coincidences; they’re your body’s way of rewarding you with the feel-good hormones that make these moments special. Let’s explore how these natural chemicals work behind the scenes to make life’s little joys seem even more special.

It is proven science that hormonal regulation is behind our every mood. If you are sulking or seething for no reason, then maybe it's not you but your dopamine or serotonin levels driving your reactions. Likewise, a warm hug from a loved one boosts the oxytocin in your system, enveloping you with a safe and secure mood. To phrase it, “Feel-good hormones affect your mind, mood, and body.”

Serotonin is a natural mood enhancer that influences nearly all areas of the body. It is crucial for stabilising the mood and regulating bowel movements. It also tunes your fear, sleep, breathing, and appetite, thus channelling your entire day’s mood. Happy hormones affect the mind in various ways, and serotonin is a crucial player.

Remember the good old days when parents used to reward you for scoring high marks or bringing accolades for an extra-curricular activity? Similarly, dopamine is the reward your brain bestows on you for performing pleasurable and relaxing activities. As a result, you feel good and are triggered to repeat such rewarding behaviours, creating a cycle of dopamine release. Besides, it also dictates your learning abilities, movement, and memory. Happy hormones significantly affect mood through dopamine release, which enhances feelings of pleasure and motivation.

Most of us seek solace in a warm snuggle. Isn’t it? But what makes hugs so special and comforting? It is the burst of oxytocin, more popularly called ‘the love hormone’. This is justified by the studies confirming high oxytocin levels in newlyweds or couples at the early stages of romance. The love hormone generally helps build strong, positive, and healthy relationships. Oxytocin also plays a wonderful role in motherhood. It is released during labour and breastfeeding and stimulates strong bonding between an infant and mother. Happy hormones affect the body by promoting bonding and reducing stress levels.

Endorphins are your friends during pain. Your body responds to stress or pain by releasing endorphins. This ‘happy hormone’ blocks the pain and enables them to perform routine activities even in challenging situations. For instance, a large amount of endorphins are released during childbirth to deal with the labour pain. The hormone is also known to ease anxiety and depression, elevate self-love, and regulate appetite.

In today's world, where everything comes at a price, boosting your feel-good hormones is quite simple — and free. There are simple ways in which you can help your body stimulate the production of serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins in high amounts, keeping your body, mind, and mood happy and healthy. Let us see how:

Yes, you heard it right. Take some time to stroll in a nearby park or plan a picnic on a Sunday afternoon. Ultraviolet radiations of the sun trigger vitamin D and elevate serotonin levels in your body. But be careful and load yourself with high-SPF sunscreen before stepping out.

No explanation is needed when it comes to the perks of working out. A person who exercises at least thrice a week rewards themselves with a fitter body and a better mood. Working out is strongly associated with euphoria, commonly called the ‘runner’s high,’ triggered by a boost of endorphins. Work solo or in groups, but burn some calories to feel the surge of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins.

Especially in the aftermath of COVID-19, most of us value quality time spent with loved ones. This activity relaxes the tension and stress in your body, releasing the bulk of happy hormones. Whenever you feel like it, wrap your partner, parents, and kids in a long, cosy hug, releasing the love hormone oxytocin. This act will release your stress, make you happy, and nurture your heart’s health. Reliving old happy memories or sharing laughter are great ways to stimulate the feel-good hormones.

Happy hormones affect mood; one easy way to keep these hormones in check is to get enough sleep. Indulging in the habit of sleeping 7-8 hours/day will do you a huge favour. However, young corporate professionals often need help practising the simple act of sleeping well. However, subtle changes in your routine, like minimising screen time, fixing your bedtime, and cutting back on extra caffeine, can go a long way in repairing your sleep cycle and hormonal flow.

Who doesn’t love having a hearty bowl of breakfast or digging in your favourite dessert? Interestingly, food can trigger all your happy hormones. Depending on your taste, plan a spicy meal for a kick of endorphins or choose a protein-rich diet with eggs and poultry to elevate your dopamine. Dark chocolate with 70% cocoa has beneficial effects on serotonin levels. Whatever taste satisfies you, choose a balanced, tasty meal to extract maximum benefits.

Meditation has multiple health benefits, from relieving stress to improving your sleep cycle. In this context, meditation is associated with increased dopamine production. However, it's not easy to meditate. You need a certain amount of dedication and a quiet, comfortable place to start this practice. If you are unsure, go for guided practices or simply invest five minutes in sitting and doing nothing daily.

“Positive social interactions and pair bonding alleviate stress through oxytocin, facilitating security and support,” says Prof (Dr) Krishna G Seshadri, Department of Endocrinology, Chennai. He adds that dopamine has been reported to be important in regulating social behaviour, including sexual behaviour, aggression, and maternal care.

Happiness is subjective. It holds different meanings for everyone, but the chemistry behind the reactions is the same for each human. Happy hormones affect the body, mind, and mood intricately. One can’t always control what’s happening around them but can master ways that will keep their happy hormones smiling. However, an expert’s opinion is always a wise choice if needed. Remember, asking for help always goes a long way.

Mood swings, depression, and anxiety are significant indicators of imbalanced feel-good hormones. Besides, one must also look for signs of weight gain, skin irritation, and irregular menstruation.

Usually, stress lowers the secretion of feel-good hormones such as dopamine and serotonin and increases the release of cortisol and adrenaline.

Yes, professionals can prescribe medications to boost feel-good hormones.

Yes, the overproduction of feel-good hormones can have adverse effects such as aggression, excessive sex drive, schizophrenia, insomnia, etc.

Giving at least a month’s time to observe the results is recommended.