Happy hormones

Happy hormones for health and well-being

Let’s have a look at the main happy hormones

Serotonin

Serotonin is a hormone produced in the body with a variety of functions.

Sometimes called the happy hormone because it helps to boost and stabilize the mood so it makes you feel happier.

Benefits

• Helps with cardiovascular health

• Helps relay messages from one part of the brain to another

• Helps boost the mood

• Helps sexual function

• Helps appetite

• Learning and memory

• Sleep

• Socail behaviour

• Temperature regulation

• Muscles

• Blood pressure

• Heart rate

• Cognitive function

• Digestive health

How to increase serotonin

• Protein rich foods – meats, poultry, dairy, nuts, seeds, spinich

• Getting enough vitamin B6 helps to convert tryptophan which helps to convert into serotonin

• Time out-doors in natural daylight/sunshine to boost vitamin D

• Exercise regularly- running, swimming, walking/hiking, bike riding..etc..

• Listen to music

• Meditation

• Massage

• Essentials oils – lavender, lemon, bergamot

5-HTP is a supplement that helps produce serotonin in the system * but always consult your doctor before taking supplements * especially if you are already taking medication or other supplements.

Serotonin syndrome warning

Too much serotonin can cause serotonin syndrome, which can be very serious even fatal. So consult with your doctor before trying 5-HTP.

Signs of low serotonin

•Feeling anxious or irritable

• Depressed or low mood

• Decreased appetite

• Nausea or digestive issues

• Sleep problems

• Fatigue

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a hormone often found to be higher in levels of new couples in the early stages. So it’s known as the love hormone or the hugging hormone.

This hormone stays high when in a romantic attachment, during sexual activity, new mothers – during childbirth and breast feeding.

Positive effects

• Relaxation

• Bonding

• Trust

• Positive social interaction

• Loving relationships

• Empathy

Ways to boost oxytocin

• Express love

• Hugs and cuddles

• Make love

• Care for pets/animals

• Get enough vitamin D – get outdoors for some daylight/sunshine

• Magnesium- from foods or take a salt bath

•, Camomile tea

• Jasmine essential oil

• Massage – physical touch

• Meditation

• Music and especially singing

• Yoga

• Socialising

• Watch a movie

Oxytocin deficiency symptoms

• Reduced empathy

• Links to autism

• Poor social functioning

• Depression

• Not good emotional wellbeing

• Poor communication

• Low libido

• Can cause anxiety

• Problems with breast feeding

• Issues with bonding

Dopamine

Dopamine is a hormone thats involved in reward feelings, motivation, memory, attention and regulating body movements. Large amounts creates a feeling of pleasure and reward. It also has a positive effect on moods, concentration, sleep and learning. Low levels can reduce motivation and decrease enthusiasm for things that would normally excite people.

Ways to increase dopamine

• Eat protein

• Probiotics

• Exercise regularly

• Get enough sleep

• Meditation

• Listen to music

• Massage

• Physical touch

• Social connections

• Cold showers

• Set new goals – for the reward feeling when you’ve reached them

• Eat dopamine boosting foods – Apple’s, banana, beans, oranges, spinach, peas, avocados, beets, nuts, oats, olive oil, sea veggies, wheat, water melon, turmeric, chocolate, green leafy veggies, meat, poultry, dairy

• Sunshine/daylight

Signs of deficiency

• Aches and pains

• Stiffness in the muscles

• Muscle cramps or spasms

• Constipation

• GERD

• Trouble sleeping

• Low energy/fatigue

• Loss of balance

• Slow movements and slow speech

• Weight loss or weight gain

• Inability to focus

• Mood swings

• Low libido

Endorphins

There are 20 different types of endorphins-hormones. Endorphins can block stress and pain as they help create the feelings of pleasure also a happiness booster too.

Boost endorphins naturally

• Regular exercise

• Meditation

• Yoga

• Dark chocolate

• Music & dance

• Spicy foods

• Massage

• Laughing

• Enjoy eating your favourite foods

• Enjoy a glass of wine

• Aromatherapy– lavender is a good one

• Accupunture

• Sex

Low endorphin symptoms

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Addiction

• Moodiness

• Trouble sleeping

• Impulsive behaviour

• Aches and pains

• Linked to fibromyalgia

So it’s really important to get enough of these happy feel good hormones and in a good balance too and focus on selfcare.

I hope this ” straight forward ” guide has been helpful, let me know in the comments.

Love LittleWildflower x