“Life should not just be about flowers but about spreading fragrance like flowers.”
Do you agree that life should be about spreading fragrance like flowers rather than just flowers? Is life truly a marathon race in which the sole goal is to cross the finish line? We are all aware of how brief life is, but should our only objective be to cross the finish line, or should we cherish each and every second of this fleeting existence? No matter how many challenges we face, we must guard against depression and teach our brains to deal with things constructively.
Why do we allow little things to ruin our mood and have such a profound impact on us in this brief life? These days, we frequently hear people say things like, “My mood is off because someone said that,” or “I got depressed because of this.” Indeed, there are ups and downs in life, and nobody is immune to them. However, isn’t it better to develop the strength to handle every circumstance with grace and, to the greatest extent feasible, avoid pushing ourselves into sadness rather than simply declaring, “I am depressed”?
The terms “cortisol” and “dopamine” give the impression that one is something that should be kept from rising because it is dangerous, while the other is something that, when increased, is good for us.
I will only discuss happiness and how it can be enhanced here, as dopamine is a key component of feeling good. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is produced in the brain, as everyone is aware. In essence, it serves as a chemical messenger between neurons. Dopamine is released when the brain anticipates a reward, sending a “feel–good” signal.
Instead of focusing on cortisol, why not raise dopamine? The adrenal glands produce the steroid hormone cortisol. Even though it is crucial to many bodily processes, its level needs to be balanced for our health because it keeps the body’s internal stability. However, when our lifestyle becomes stressful—for example, because of relationships, office deadlines, poor work-life balance, etc.—our body sets off stress reactions that raise cortisol, also referred to as the “stress hormone”. Maintaining a healthy cortisol balance is beneficial to our bodies because excessive cortisol levels can cause several issues.
“I learnt about dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, adrenaline, and other aspects of the human brain during my psychology coursework, but I never felt like I had learnt enough. Since learning and studying have no boundaries, I continue to read and learn.” (Preeti)
The purpose of this article is to improve our way of life and make us happier so that we can at least try to make our lives more joyful rather than more stressful.
These days, we can readily find information on the internet about anything, including studies, health, life, mental health, and other topics. However, awareness is equally crucial, isn’t it? For example, if we read about healthy food, we ought to be knowledgeable about it, right?
I’m not going to define dopamine and cortisol according to textbook definitions here. I’m just going to talk about how we all really need a healthier balance. In the same way that we must be conscious of the importance of a balanced diet for our general health, we also need a balanced diet for mental health in order to live happier lives. Our motivation and awareness are what are needed.
For example:
1. Do the things you love: Make sure to set aside some time for any activities you enjoy but frequently neglect because of time constraints. Do something, even if it’s just for a short while, like painting, playing the guitar, listening to music, swimming, walking, running, or even something as basic as shopping.
You just need to learn how to manage your time so that you can balance all of your obligations with personal time. You will feel a profound sense of joy when you begin to focus on yourself, believe me, and this happiness itself contributes to a rise in dopamine.
Enjoying your favourite food: It might be a dish that we don’t eat every day, but when its aroma suddenly reaches us, or we see it being prepared, our mouth surely waters and we feel a strong craving to eat it. At that moment, our brain increases dopamine. And when you eat it, you find yourself fully satisfied, which makes you feel good.
Social Circle: A healthy, positive environment also keeps our mind happy—where there is no constant quarrel, meeting familiar people, or attending a social gathering gives a unique and pleasant feeling. Instead of being in a place full of useless talk, it is better to be in a cheerful atmosphere that keeps the mind joyful. We just need to stay away from toxic environments for the sake of our own health, because when the mind is happy, the body stays healthy too.
Writing a Journal: Writing a journal is also considered a good habit, because sometimes, even when we want to, we cannot express what’s in our hearts. Or if there is some aim in your life that you are not able to achieve, then start writing a journal. This journal will surely motivate you or at least lighten the burden on your mind, giving you inner happiness. You can write your old happy memories in this journal, and whenever you wish, read them again to refresh your mind. Because if you write down negative or toxic things and later read them, it can spoil your mood. That’s why you should keep yourself happy with your journal and never entertain useless thoughts—this will truly work like a mantra.
Adopt some stress-reduction techniques: stress reduction, like yoga, running, meditation, deep breathing, sun salutation, walking, and listening to some music, helps a lot in reducing cortisol.
Better time management: For a better lifestyle, good time management is very important. It helps keep our daily routine in order, because sometimes even when we have time, our work doesn’t get done, or due to not finding time, life becomes chaotic. These small things, if we pay attention to them, can reduce stress — that’s why time management is very necessary.
Sound sleep and a healthy diet: A healthy diet is essential for both physical and mental well-being. Eating unusual foods on a daily basis is not necessary for maintaining a healthy diet. In my health-related blog, I’ve always talked about the importance of choosing foods that are readily available locally for a healthy diet. It has the same amount of nutrition to maintain your health. Additionally, getting a good sleep is crucial. Sleeping for seven to eight hours is essential. For your body and mind to stay healthy and your cortisol level to remain balanced, you should always get deep, restful sleep, even if you only get a few hours.
Conclusion
When we are happy, everything feels good We feel hungry, we sleep well, we pay attention to ourselves, we talk to people, and everything seems pleasant. But in life, not every day needs to be cheerful; at some point, we have to face stress. The important thing is to ensure that stress doesn’t increase, and whatever stress we do have, we manage it well so that our dopamine increases and cortisol levels decrease. Stress for a short time is fine, but if it continues for a long time, it can become the cause of many illnesses. In the marathon of life, will you reach the finish line by relying on medicines or by living a healthy and happy life?
Dear reader,
This is my small effort to increase happiness.
Thank you for reading!
~ Preeti 😊
Nutrinirvana 