How’s your Happy Hormone - Dopamine?
Dopamine is one type of neurotransmitter that plays a role in how we feel pleasure, how we think and plan, gives us that get up and go to strive for and enjoy things in life.
Signs of low levels include;
· You lack motivation, “the drive.”
· You're tired and struggle to concentrate
· You're moody or anxious.
· You don’t feel pleasure from previously enjoyable experiences
· You have trouble sleeping or have disturbed sleep.
Need to increase your Dopamine levels?
· Eat foods that contain L-tyrosine such as – avocados, bananas, oatmeal, green leafy vegies, almonds, proteins, foods high in natural probiotics.
· Meditate – if this is new to you, find a guided meditation a peaceful spot (out in nature is perfect) and just breathe, listen and let the meditation guide you. Meditation is not difficult, there’s no being perfect at it…even if you are just sitting still and noticing your breath, bring yourself back to your breath when your mind wanders, this is meditation!
· Exercise – ever felt that natural high after exercising? If not, perhaps you just haven’t found the exercise that works for you. Guaranteed there is a form of exercise that will feel good for you – walking, running, Pilates, yoga, fitness classes, one on one sessions with a trainer, dancing, cycling, swimming, rowing, surfing or perhaps a gentle at home class that you might find on Youtube. Don’t wait for the motivation to get moving……take action and get moving and the motivation will follow, as will that wonderful natural Dopamine high. Then you can use that ‘feel good’ memory to get you moving again tomorrow and the day after!
· Listen to your favourite music – music has that amazing ability to impact our ‘feel good’ levels. Put on your favourite tunes, add a little dancing and singing (on your own in your home works just as well as being out in the crowd) and without a doubt, you will experience joy or at the very least it will put a smile on your face (but that’s joy right?!).
· Get outdoors – a little sunlight, experiencing nature with all your senses – what do you see, smell, hear and feel?
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