What are happiness hormones and how to boost them?

The happy hormones produced by the body include dopamine which makes us feel good, serotonin which reduces sadness, oxytocin which is the love hormone, and endorphins that make us happy as well as reduce physical pain. Having a proper diet, exercise and relaxation will help boost happy hormones.

Hormones are chemical substances produced by different glands in the body. They travel through the bloodstream, act as signal transmitters, and participate in many body processes. There are hormones involved in the growth process, hormones that respond to stress and also hormones that help regulate mood. Those are happiness hormones that help promote positive feelings, including happiness and joy.

Happy hormones include:
Dopamine: Also known as the “feel-good” hormone, dopamine is a hormone and neurotransmitter that plays an important part in the brain's reward system. Dopamine has been linked to feelings of well-being along with learning, memory, motor function and more. Serotonin: This hormone helps regulate mood as well as sleep, appetite, digestion, learning ability, and memory. Oxytocin: Often referred to as the love hormone, oxytocin is essential for childbirth, breastfeeding, and strong parent-child bonding. This hormone can also help promote trust, empathy, and bonding in relationships. Oxytocin levels usually increase with physical contact such as kissing, cuddling, and sex. Endorphins: Endorphins are the body's natural pain relievers, produced in response to stress or discomfort. Endorphin levels also tend to increase when you engage in activities like eating, exercising, or having sex.

Participate in outdoor activities:
Spending time outdoors at least 10 to 15 minutes a day, in the sun can increase the production of both serotonin and endorphins. Make time for exercise:
Exercise has many benefits for physical and mental health. It may also have a positive effect on happy hormone production. Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day helps release endorphins. Regular physical activity can also increase levels of dopamine and serotonin. It is therefore a great choice for boosting happiness hormones. Laugh more:
Laughter will not treat ongoing health problems but can help alleviate feelings of anxiety or stress and improve mood by increasing dopamine and endorphin levels. Cook and enjoy your favorite meal with your loved one:
In theory, this could boost all 4 happiness hormones. The pleasure of eating a delicious treat can trigger the release of dopamine along with endorphins. Sharing meals with loved ones and bonding during meal preparation can increase oxytocin levels.
Certain foods can also have an impact on hormone levels, so keep the following in mind when choosing a meal to boost happiness hormones:
Spicy foods can trigger the release of endorphins. Yogurt, eggs, beans, almonds, and low-fat meat are associated with the release of dopamine. Foods rich in tryptophan have been linked to increased serotonin levels. Foods that contain probiotics, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi can affect hormone release. Supplements:
Tyrosine : Related to dopamine production. Green tea and green tea extracts: Involvement in dopamine and serotonin production. Probiotics may promote serotonin and dopamine production. Tryptophan increases serotonin.

Listen to music:
Music can promote many types of happiness hormones, especially in the production of dopamine. Just listening to any music you enjoy can boost your mood. Positive changes in mood can increase serotonin production. Making music and performing music by dancing, singing, or drumming also leads to the release of endorphins. Meditation:
Meditation has many health benefits, from improving sleep to reducing stress. In addition, meditation increases dopamine production and promotes the release of endorphins. Make it romantic:
Spending time with someone you care about, kissing, cuddling or having sex boosts oxytocin production. This can help increase positive emotions and closeness in the relationship, making you feel joyful, happy, even euphoric. Dancing and sex both lead to the release of endorphins, while orgasm triggers the release of dopamine. Pets:
Having pets and cuddling them is a great way to increase oxytocin levels. Good sleep:
Not sleeping well can affect health, imbalance hormones in the body, especially dopamine. This can negatively impact mental as well as physical health. Taking 7 to 9 hours a day to sleep can restore the balance of hormones in the body, helping the body feel better. Manage stress:
Constantly facing stress in life can reduce production of dopamine and serotonin, negatively affecting mood as well as health. Take a break, spend 20 minutes walking, running, cycling or other physical activity, laughing more, meditating... helps to reduce stress, while increasing the production of serotonin, dopamine and even even endorphins. Massage:
Massage can promote all 4 happy hormones. In a nutshell, serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins are happy hormones that promote positive feelings like joy, happiness, and even love. Understanding the importance of happy hormones and their impact on mental health, you can take natural ways to improve their levels.

Reference source: healthline.com