Do you immediately feel a bit lighter and happier after scrolling through some positive posts? That's because you just given your brain a good dose of dopamine, a "feel-good" hormone that boosts our mood. An article in Psychology Today refers to it as The Motivation Booster, explaining that it's our brain’s “reward” chemical.
Dopamine is released when you hit a goal, receive praise, or even just soak in some wholesome goodness. "It makes you feel good and encourages you to keep doing what made you feel that way in the first place," reads the site. The good news is that it doesn't have to be a "one hit wonder." Researchers have discovered that positivity can actually change how your brain works long-term.
"When we experience consistent positive emotions, our brain chemistry and even its structure can change for the better," reveals Psychology Today. Besides consuming wholesome content, there are a few other ways to better your brain so that you're happier, more optimistic and resilient.
One is to practice gratitude. Write down or reflect on the things you're grateful for every day, even the little ones. Doing this is known to boost happiness and reduce depression. "One landmark study found that people who practiced daily gratitude reported better moods, lower stress, and even improved sleep," notes the site, adding that brain scans back this up.
That's because gratitude activates the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of your brain involved in decision-making and emotional control. And remember we spoke about dopamine earlier? Well, gratitude boosts this feel-good hormone, while increasing your serotonin levels too. Serotonin, in case you're wondering, helps regulate mood and reduces anxiety.
"It's emotional stabilizer," explains Dr. Sam Goldstein, a paediatric neuroscientist and Assistant Clinical Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Utah School of Medicine.
"If dopamine is the celebration, serotonin is the calm after the storm," says Goldstein.
You can get your daily dose of it from gratitude, meditation, exercise, and sunlight. And according to Goldstein, the more you practice gratitude, the stronger your positive neural pathways become: "It’s like building a mental muscle for optimism."
