HAPPY BRAIN CHEMICALS TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD!
- Communications
- Jul 22, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 2, 2023
HAPPY BRAIN CHEMICALS TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD!
Your daily D.O.S.E
The image below was designed by the lovely Kim, as a quick and easy reference guide to what the various feel-good chemicals in our brains do, how we can tell which ones we're short on, and most importantly what we can do about them when we're feeling those effects, in a targeted way. We've had the poster in the social media team 'office' for a while now and it's so popular it's made its way onto family members' phones as it has turned out to be a useful basic 'how to perk up your sad sack' cheat sheet for spousal units and carers! Now we're sharing it with everyone. Let us know what you think... It's definitely changed how we manage mood for the better. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're being guided into the garden with a hula hoop and a bar of chocolate ;)
Text in the image is recreated below it.
DOPAMINE - the reward chemical
Enables motivation, concentration, learning, and pleasure.
Promotes determination to accomplish goals, desires, and needs.
OXYTOCIN - the love chemical
Increases trust and motivation to build and maintain relationships.
Known as the' love' or 'cuddle' hormone. Plays a role in bonding.
SEROTONIN - the mood stabiliser
Improves general well-being and happiness.
Can create positive emotions, and plays a role in our social dynamics.
ENDORPHINS - the pain killer
A natural pain killer in response to acute pain or stress.
Also aids in our general well-being, and release when laughing too!
How do you know if you are low in one or more of them?
DOPAMINE
Procrastination
Mood swings
Inability to focus
Feeling anxious
Low energy/ Fatigue
Lack of motivation
Low self-esteem
Feeling hopeless
OXYTOCIN
Lack of motivation
Feeling anxious
Disconnection of relationships
Insomnia
Low energy /fatigue
Stressed
Feeling lonely
SEROTONIN
Anxiety/Panic attacks
Overly sensitive
Mood swings
Social phobia
Insomnia
Low self-esteem
Obsession/ Compulsion
ENDORPHINS
Impulsive behaviour
Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
Aches and pains
How can you increase them?
DOPAMINE
Small daily tasks completed
Moving your body
Creativity; writing, crafting, baking
Eating food
Doing self-care activities
OXYTOCIN
Playing with your pet
Holding hands/physical touch
Hugging loved ones for at least 30 secs
Either giving or receiving compliments
SEROTONIN
Sunlight
Meditation
Being in nature
Massage
Cold showers
Moving your body inc: walking, swimming & cycling
ENDORPHINS
Laughter with others
Watching a comedy
Moving your body
Dark chocolate
Essential oils
Crying
Eating spicy foods
Stretching
Designed and illustrated by Kim Clayden of Online- Psychotherapist.com for the HMSA Charity.
Nice sharing.
Happiness isn’t just a state of mind—it’s a matter of chemistry! The brain releases four main “happy chemicals”: dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins. These natural mood boosters help improve focus, motivation, emotional bonding, and overall well-being. You can activate them through small daily habits like exercising, meditating, expressing gratitude, or simply celebrating small wins. Even the sense of accomplishment from completing a task—like ticking off a to-do list or completing your Online LLP Registration—can release dopamine and give you a mental high. At ebizfiling, we believe feeling good also comes from removing stress around business compliance and registrations. That’s why we’re here to make legal processes easier and more efficient, so you can focus on growing your business while enjoying…
This guide is a great reminder of how small actions can boost mood through brain chemicals. Learning about dopamine, serotonin, and more makes self-care easier. Even students seeking assignment help can benefit from understanding how these chemicals affect focus and motivation.
I started to apply simple methods such as walking in the morning sunlight, playing with my cat, and spending time every night writing a few lines of gratitude in my Among Us diary - surprisingly, these small actions gradually changed my mood and quality of life in a clearly positive direction. Especially completing small tasks during the day helped me regain initiative and a sense of satisfaction - exactly what Dopamine brings.
Oddly enough, after reading about mood-boosting brain chemicals, I felt motivated to improve my surroundings — starting with the patio! Using high-quality concrete chemicals , I cleaned and sealed the surface, giving the space a fresh, polished look. It’s amazing how something as small as a clean patio can lift your spirits