PSYCAP builds Psychological Capital – be happy at work – meet your happy chemicals.
We spend a lot of time discussing ways to be happier – maintain close friendships, look on the bright side, drink more water. But we don’t often think about how we feel happiness. Did you know that the warmth you feel from a long hug is caused by an entirely different chemical sensation than the high you feel after a long run or bike ride?
If you are feeling happy it is because of Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins (D.O.S.E.) yes your positive behavioural habits can generate happiness.
So then, what’s the real cause of our happiness? What makes us feel sensations of happiness, closeness, and joy? Brain chemicals! There are four primary chemicals that can drive the positive emotions you feel throughout the day: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins (sometimes referred to as D.O.S.E.).
By understanding how these chemicals work on a basic level, we can better decide for ourselves whether the latest trends will be helping or hurting our happiness. Think of this as your introduction or field guide to what these chemicals are and how they affect your daily happiness, then you can learn how to build and influence the platform of your happiness – by building good sustainable positive habits. This isn’t a chicken and egg debate – you need to act first, then your body rewards you with the feel-good sensations. This is what a runner may call runners high or a chess player may feel in a state of flow (100% engagement in the moment). Go on try it!