Know your brain's 4 happy chemicals

The desire for happiness is the universal wish of mankind. But do you ever wonder what exactly happens in our body when we feel happy? So basically happiness is largely a chemical experience. Certain hormones are released from the brain in response to external stimuli, thus making us feel happy. These happy chemicals consist of :

• Endorphin
• Dopamine
• Serotonin
• Oxytocin

These four chemicals can further be separated into selfless chemicals and selfish chemicals. 

• Selfless chemicals because it strengthens our social bonds and create meaningful connections. Oxytocin and Serotonin falls under this category.

• Selfish chemicals because it helps us in getting things done and achieve more. Endorphin and Dopamine falls under this category.

It often happens where we fail to understand ourselves or our situation and we tend to get frustrated. So it is essential for us to have a good knowledge of these chemicals as each play a different role in our happiness. Let's dig a little deeper.

1.Endorphin 

Endorphins are pain masking chemical. When we exercise the body releases endorphins. this hormone helps the body cope with the pain of exercising and boost pleasure, resulting in a feeling of comfort and boost your mood. This feeling is actually addictive and that is why you see many people get addicted to working out. 

Endorphins are released in response to pain or stress but they are also released during other activities like eating, gaming or sex. Laughter is another good way of generating endorphin. Therefore it is important  for us to spend atleast 30 mins each day exercising, gaming or watch funny videos to get our daily dose of endorphin.

2. Dopamine

Dopamine are feel good hormones. Dopamine is released when we accomplish little or big task. It is also released when we get appreciated for our work at the office or at home. This explains why most housewives feel unhappy or depressed since they rarely get acknowledged or appreciated for their work. So it is important to appreciate and thank people for their work. 

To get your daily dose of dopamine one can create a to-do-list so that once your task is completed you can feel a quick rush of dopamine a.k.a. feeling accomplished. 

3. Serotonin

Serotonin is released when we act in a way that benefit others. Don't you feel good when you do something that makes other happy? Exactly..that's when your serotonin level is at its peak. Even when providing useful information on the internet by answering questions on forums or making donations online will actually generate serotonin and make one feel  good.

In order to get your daily dose of serotonin you can have lunch outside and get exposed to the sun for about 10 - 15 mins. By doing this the skin absorbs UV rays which promotes vitamin D and increases serotonin production. Although exposure to UV rays for too long isn't good, some daily exposure is healthy for boosting your serotonin level. 

4. Oxytocin

Oxytocin is generally known as "love hormone" as it is the feeling you get from physical and emotional bond.  Oxytocin generates a feeling that you feel when you are around your loved ones or someone whom you enjoy being with, even if you aren't doing anything special. However, oxytocin have other names as well "The Cuddle Hormone" i.e. when you hug someone it releases oxytocin which makes you feel good. So, a simple way to keep your oxytocin flowing is to give someone a hug right now.

Experiences that releases these chemicals makes us happy, which makes us want more of the same. When we are happy we can deal with our challenges and problems better.