How to activate happiness hormones according to Harvard University

THE Harvard University It is one of the most prestigious in the world and in addition to education it has a research area that seeks answers to health problems. And an example is how to activate happiness hormones.

“Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers. They travel through the bloodstream to tissues and organs. They act slowly and, over time, influence many different processes,” he summarizes. Medline Plusthe United States National Library of Medicine.

And list some of them which include:

• Growth and development

• Metabolism: How the body gets energy from the food you eat

• sexual function

• Playback

• Humor

And there is a group that is responsible for helping us generate feelings of well-being, which is given the colloquial name of happiness hormones, as they are responsible for experiencing this emotional state.

What are the hormones of happiness

Stephanie Watsonformer executive director of Harvard Women’s Health Watch, specified in a publication from the prestigious American university what these four happiness hormones are:

Serotonin. It is the one most closely linked to our mood and emotional control. After an argument, anger levels decrease and our ideas begin to clarify. This is the action of serotonin, responsible for restoring emotional balance. Low levels of this hormone are associated with depression.

Dopamine. This chemical is linked to motivation and the reward system. It makes us be competitive, defend ourselves from dangers and pushes us to achieve our goals. Our brain releases dopamine when we encounter an unexpected reward.

Endorphins. Up to twenty different types are known and they are the protagonists of well-being. With a chemical structure very similar to morphine, they are capable of attenuating pain, being considered more powerful than analgesics.

Oxytocin. Being close to other people with whom there is a bond increases their level, generating greater trust in them. Some studies claim that hugging other people or petting pets increases the natural production of oxytocin.

How to activate happiness hormones

“You can increase the levels of these hormones with some simple lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise and meditationand possibly improve your mood in the process,” says a Harvard study.

Precisely through the publications of Harvard Health to show up very simple ways to activate happiness hormones as a conclusion of a a project.

This study arrives tracking 724 men since they were teenagers in 1938 (there are still around 60 men, who are now 90 years old).

The group was made up of men from diverse economic and social backgrounds, from Boston’s poorest neighborhoods to Harvard undergraduates.

What are those simple ideal habits to practice in 2024:

• Perform physical exercise: Fresh air and exercise are a powerful, mood-boosting combination. Walking, cycling, running and other aerobic activities help release mood-enhancing hormones that can reduce stress and provide a feeling of well-being.

• Let go, let go. According to project director Dr. Robert Waldinger, as people got older, they tended to focus more on what was important to them and not worry too much about the little things. Eventually, they tend to realize that life is short and it’s best to pay attention to what makes them happy right now.

• Give hugs. It is a simple gesture that increases the levels of oxytocin, called, according to science, the love hormone. This helps us strengthen our relationships, connects us, comforts us and uplifts us.

• Personal ties. Along the same lines, the Harvard study found a strong association between happiness and intimate relationships such as spouse, family, friends and social environments. “Personal connection creates mental and emotional stimulation, which automatically improves mood, while isolation destroys mood,” they point out.