Steps to Boost your Mood and Happiness
Marie-Annick Courtier 
How you can naturally improve your mood and happiness by making certain choices in life.
While mental health issues can be a serious problem that requires medical and/or psychological supervision and, sometimes medications; many of us do not necessarily need such types of approaches to boost our sense of well-being and happiness. I will not discuss mental health here, as it is simply not my place. What I like to discuss is how most of us can naturally improve our mood and happiness by making certain choices in life.
Mood and happiness can be influenced by many things from desired lifestyle and life experiences to environmental situations. But there are other considerations in the happiness equation as well. A wild-uncontrolled mind can also be an issue that, with the right training, can be tamed just like a wild horse. Trust me, been there and now enjoying much more peaceful days than in my youth!
Science has made huge progress in understanding how our brain functions and how brain chemicals play a crucial role in regulating our mood. From the time we sense to how we respond to a situation, our brain relies on a few things, more importantly on neurotransmitters and hormones to assess, interpret, and convey experiences. Those neurotransmitters or chemical substances are part of the nervous system and are responsible for transmitting signals from nerve cells to specific receptors on target cells. They regulate many aspects of our development and bodily functions. Heart rate, breathing, muscle movement, appetite, digestion, sleep cycles, concentration, and mood come to mind, just to name a few. Once messages have been delivered, the body then breaks them down or recycles them.
While scientists have discovered more than 100 neurotransmitters this far, we will explore four major chemicals that affect our mood and happiness. They are
1. Dopamine plays an important role in the process of learning, memory, behaviors, movement control, and regulating blood flow.
2. Oxytocin plays an important role in the female and male reproductive systems, sexual arousal, relationship building, trust, and behaviors.
3. Serotonin plays an important role in regulating memory, mood, behaviors, and sleep.
4. Endorphin plays an important role in managing pain (pain levels) and promoting a sense of pleasure.
Finally, I must say now that those chemicals can have abnormal functions that demand medical attention. Again, not my place to evaluate or give suggestions to correct. Please consult your physician, if you are concerned particularly with anxiety, depression, and mood issues. As a remember, my attempt here is only to educate and offer basic ideas that may naturally boost those messengers while positively impacting our overall well-being. I invite you to check my "Brain Chemicals Chart" below for natural ways to improve your mood and boost your happiness!
** Need some help to reach a joyful way of life or a sense of happiness, feel free to contact me. I will be glad to explore your needs with you and see how my coaching services can help you reach your personal goals!
Categories: : Coaching Tips, Wellness
