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Happiness hormones are the name for several types of hormones in the body that play a role in maintaining positive emotions and feelings. These hormones work by sending signals to the brain and triggering feelings of joy and comfort, as well as eliminating stress or pain.

In everyday life, the balance of happy hormones is very important to maintain feelings and emotions, so that you can get through stressful moments well. When this hormone works optimally, this can have an impact on your physical and mental health.

Conversely, when the number of happy hormones is imbalanced, you can be more susceptible to stress and mental disorders, such as depression, psychosis, and anxiety disorders.

Happiness Hormones and Their Types

Happiness hormones consist of 4 types and each of these hormones has its own role. The following are the various types of happy hormones:

1. Dopamine

Dopamine is a hormone that provides feelings of pleasure and increases focus, motivation, self-confidence, and positive habits. This hormone is produced in the brain, especially when the reward system in the brain is activated.

Dopamine can appear when you successfully achieve a goal, get something you want, get an award, or do an activity that gives you satisfaction.

Apart from providing feelings of happiness, dopamine also plays an important role in regulating blood pressure, improving memory and body movement.

Deficiency of dopamine can cause lack of motivation, body feeling tired, mental disorders, even Parkinson's disease. On the other hand, uncontrolled excess dopamine can trigger addiction, hallucinations and impulsive behavior.

2. Serotonin

Serotonin is a hormone that plays a role in regulating mood, sleep cycle, appetite and brain function. This happy hormone is produced in the brain, specifically in the brain stem. Apart from that, serotonin is also found in abundance in the intestines.

This hormone helps maintain emotional balance and provides a feeling of calm and happiness. Apart from that, adequate serotonin levels can also prevent stress and various other mental disorders, including depression.

Serotonin deficiency can cause sleep disorders, mood swings, as well as loss of appetite. Meanwhile, excess serotonin can cause various symptoms, such as hallucinations, chest palpitations, and agitation or anxiety. 

3. Endorphins

Endorphins are hormones produced by the nervous system and pituitary gland. This hormone is released by the body when you do activities, such as exercising, laughing, or doing activities you like or hobbies.

Endorphins function to relieve stress, pain and soreness, and cause feelings of happiness. Apart from that, endorphins can also make your mood better, so that your body becomes more relaxed and comfortable.

A lack of endorphins can make the body feel pain more easily and increase the risk of anxiety and depression.

4. Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a hormone that is often nicknamed the love hormone. The reason is, this hormone plays a role in strengthening emotional bonds between individuals. Oxytocin is released when you are in intimate moments, such as hugging, making out, and various other interactions.

Apart from strengthening romantic relationships, this hormone also plays an important role in forming the relationship between parents and children. Not only that, oxytocin also helps reduce stress and increases feelings of safety and comfort.

If oxytocin levels in the body are too low, you will have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with other people.

Happiness Hormones and How to Increase Them

The four happiness hormones play a role in creating emotional balance and overall happiness. To increase the production of happy hormones, there are several ways you can do this, including:

• Spend time outdoors and doing activities in the sun, such as walking in city parks, cycling, or going to the beach.
• Take time to exercise or do other physical activities.
• Spend time with friends or close people with various fun activities and can improve mood.
• Take up new hobbies or fun activities, such as cooking your favorite food, listening to music, and reading books.
• Create romantic moments with your partner.
• Do meditation, avoid excessive stress, and get enough rest.

The various activities above can help increase the production of dopamine, serotonin, endorphins and oxytocin. Happy hormones have a very important role in maintaining emotional balance and overall body health. Maintaining the stability of this hormone can help us live a more productive and meaningful life.

Well, if you often feel disturbances in your happy hormones which are characterized by mood swings, excessive anxiety, and sleep disorders that interfere with your daily activities, don't hesitate to consult with psychologist. This way, you can share the feelings you are feeling, and get the right solution to recover them, without worrying about feeling judged.

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