Dopamine is s a chemical messenger in our brains that is in charge of many important functions like motivation, moods, sleep, memory, and behavioral regulation. Having the right amount of dopamine is crucial to resilience and overall satisfaction with life. So what can you do to increase your dopamine?
Sleep More
We've all heard that we should get at least eight hours of sleep a night. But is it that important? Well, according to experts it is. If you don’t get at least seven hours of sleep, your dopamine receptors don’t function as well as they should, which means you are more likely to feel cranky and sad.
Listen to Music
If you feel low or unmotivated just put some music on. Create a playlist of some of your favorite happy songs. A 2011 study shows that when you listen to pleasant music, your dopamine levels are increased.
Eat Healthily
Did you know that your diet doesn't just affect the way you look, it also influences your happiness levels? Any food that is rich in tyrosine will increase your dopamine levels. Tyrosine is an amino acid that helps our body produce dopamine. To get it in your system, you should make sure to eat plenty of eggs, almonds, and fish.
Exercise
Exercise is also known to increase dopamine levels. Scientists don’t know why it is exactly, but we all know how great it feels to be after a workout. The reason why you feel relaxed and elated after you move your body is that your dopamine level increases.