*The views expressed in the blog are those of the author.

We all strive to be happy. The definition and the measurement of happiness vary for each of us. Some feel happy by feeling a cool breeze and some by having their favourite Chinese. What makes us happy? A pat, an appreciative note, a smile, an acknowledgement, a book, a song or a long walk. Why does our definition of happiness vary? Does our body respond to the happy hormones which are released by our body/ glands differently?These happy hormones promote positive feelings. These are the body’s messengers and have ability to help people bond, feel joy and experience happiness.

The hormones in our bodyrise and fall throughout the day. For example,release of cortisol in the morning wakes you up, while melatonin prepares you to go to sleep. And then there are other hormones that make you happy/sad, hungry/full, elevated/depressed and so on. There is a specific system in our body which regulates the production and release of such hormones. These four happy chemicals are serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins.

Serotonin -The Original Happy Hormone functions as mood stabiliser, for well-being, mood,digestion, sleep and brain.We can’t eat serotonin, but we can boost serotonin happiness with food in two ways. Firstly,we can add prebiotic food to our diet that support the good bacteria responsible for the production of acetate and  butyrate (Short Fatty Acid) and second,the food that naturally contains tryptophan an essential amino-acid the body uses to make this happy hormone.

Oxytocin-The Cuddle Hormone promotes bonding and trust, helps regulate stress responses and calms the nervous system.There is no oxytocin food, but it is released when we engage in caring relationship and have a loving community around us. It may be our parents around us or our children or our friends. It promotes love, empathy and bonding in relationships.

Dopamine: The Reward Hormone, the motivational module considered as feel good hormone and neurotransmitter. It is associated with pleasurable sensations along with learning, memory and motor system function.

Endorphins: The Pain-Relieving Hormone which our body produces to respond stress or discomfort. Its level tends to increase as reward after exercise or activities such as spending time with our family or friends.

The research findings of Robert Waldinger from Harvard University (on 724 volunteers – 2000 people in their families and near dear ones over the span of 75 years) suggests the following ways to keep ourselves happy:

• Exercise
• Partaking in fulfilling the activities that leave smile on our face
• Light exposure to sunlight
• Eating chocolates (in moderation)
• Eating food high in tryptophan
• Playing with pets
• Hugging our loved ones
• Meditating

These all eight activities are found to be directly and indirectly involved in release of these Four Happy Chemicals and make us physically and mentally fit and fine.

Jyoti Tiwari

Headmistress- Middle School

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