2023-09-26 07:22:13
The other day a friend sent me a text by Dennis Prager, an American intellectual urging his readers to be happy(1).
The author goes even further.
He explains that being happy is a “moral obligation”(1).
I don’t know how you react to this injunction but I found it very blunt or let’s say a little harsh!
And at the same time, there is something tempting in that…
For Dennis Prager, we must try to be happy because of the links that unite us with others(1).
For him, it is an altruistic approach rather than a hedonistic and selfish search(1).
Clearly, when you do good to yourself, you also do good to those around you.
If you need time for yourself, if you need your pottery studio or your play time with your friends, above all, take that time!
What makes you happy is useful to your loved ones and your community.
Happy people share their joy. They are less radical, they do not aspire to sacrifice everything, nor overturn everything(1).
They are not waiting for the great day of vengeance.
They do not harbor resentment towards the whole earth, institutions, neighbors, family, etc.
They have a more positive outlook on life.
And, more often than not, it helps them resolve their difficulties.
That doesn’t mean not having problems.
To be happy is to be able to cultivate a certain inner joy.
To be happy is to be able weather the storm without losing connection with yourself and others.
Vast program you might say!
If happiness seems so difficult to achieve, perhaps it is because sometimes we seek to achieve psychological happiness too quickly.
Your brain and body are wired to seek comfort, satisfaction, and gratification(2).
And when these sensations come along the way, your brain produces neurochemicals that change your mood.
Here are a few.
Soothing substances
An excess or deficiency of endocannabinoids often reflects a pathology.
A simple way to help your system is to take care of your microbiota(3,4).
This involves, for example, eating tasty vegetables, good olive oil and some quality aromatic herbs.
2/ Gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA is a neurotransmitter in your nervous system that soothes stress and anxiety.
Meditation or chanting raise your GABA levels(5).
3/ Endorphins help you resist stress and reduce pain(2,6).
A fulfilled sexuality helps your body produce endorphins.
This is also true every time you laugh or that you practice a sport or a physical activity(2,6).
Endorphins are hormones simple and physical joys.
Substances that give you a boost
When you set a goal and achieve it, your dopamine levels increase.
To do this, do not hesitate to set small goals regularly rather than big, impossible goals!
Furthermore, dopamine is synthesized thanks to certain bacteria present in the microbiota(8).
Consume prebiotic foods with fiber or probiotics as kombucha would therefore be helpful in maintaining or raising your dopamine levels(8).
5/ Serotonin is perhaps the best known of all these substances. It is often called the happiness hormone(9).
It helps you stay in an even or positive mood. It also helps regulate your digestive and immune systems.(2,9).
It brings you the feeling of a job well done and good vibes.
You help your body produce it by consuming, first thing in the morning, foods containing tryptophanes(2).
Thus, eggs, fish, shellfish, chicken and its skin, turkey, beef, cheese, oilseeds or even whole grains and legumes provide you with tryptophans.(10).
6/ Adrenalineeveryone knows, is action hormone. It helps you deal with stressful or dangerous situations.
However, it must not remain too high, which can create a situation of chronic stress or anxiety.(11).
You will lower your adrenaline levels thanks to:
- Regular physical activity, practicing
- By practicing relaxing activities such as sophrology, pottery, or a massage
- By sleeping your number of hours(11).
My favorite !
It comes from your eye or physical contact with those you love(12).
When you take your child by the hand, when you touch your partner and even when someone winks at you, your oxytocin levels rise.(2).
The hand that encourages, the smile that warms the heart and the confident look are all simple ways to raise the oxytocin levels around you.
This hormone would be responsible for the feeling of loyalty and fidelity(2).
Don’t forget, finally, that daylight is useful for activating most of these substances(2).
A walk in the forest in the morning, before lunch or even following will always be appreciated by your body!
How to avoid “happy depression”?
You can take action to be happier.
But pretending to be happy doesn’t necessarily work. There are “smiling depressions”(13).
In this case, the patient tries as much as he can to keep face and appear happy while deep down there reigns deep sadness.(13).
The patient may then feel very tired, have bouts of irritability, and have trouble sleeping.(13).
He may isolate himself, lose all interest in what is happening around him and even in his own activities and live in continuous anxiety(13).
In these cases, it is obvious that therapy is necessary.
This might be, for example, group therapy or therapy more oriented towards happiness.
It’s all regarding finding the right therapist!
Naturally yours,
Augustine of Livois
1695753803
#Institute #Natural #Health #Protection #pretend #happy
