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hEALTh & wELLnEss
ADVERTORIAL

HOw TO HACk

YOUR BRAIN INTO

fEELING HAppY

BY ANGELIqUE RENNIERS, MOTIvATIONAL
COACH ANd CBT pRACTITIONER

We don’t realise it but we as

humans have more power than

we think when it comes to

determining how we feel.

he way we start our day and how we cannot be made by your body and must happiness. When we imagine that we are
continue is of great importance to be obtained by eating certain foods like happy, it will put a smile on our face and
Tour depressed or happy state. fatty fish, salmon, pumpkin seeds, eggs, will raise our endorphin levels. Surround
spinach or nuts. Tryptophan can be found yourself with people that radiate energy
HORMONAL IMBALANCES in food, whereas serotonin cannot. and positivity. This is certain to rub off and
Our brain produces a number of different influence your mood.
hormones that influence the way we feel. Oxytocin is a powerful hormone that
Dopamines, Serotonin, Oxytocin and plays a huge role in relationships and how Eating the ‘right’ foods that nourish your
Endorphins all play their own roles when we relate to others. It is better known as brain will give you the energy to pursue
it comes to our mental health. When the ‘love hormone’ because it is easily your ambitions. Mindful eating is an in-
people complain about depression, this is stimulated by touch. Oxytocin can be the-moment awareness of the food and
most often caused by an imbalance of the stimulated by: physical contact such as drink you put into your body. By observing
hormones. playing with your pet or a baby; holding (rather than judging), how the food makes
hands or hugging a family member; being you feel, you will make more conscious
Dopamine, also referred to as our creative and giving. When you give, you choices when deciding what you want to
‘reward chemical’, is not only responsible often receive gratitude which creates a eat. It is important to listen to the signals
for our happy feeling but is also a good feeling, a feeling of bonding and your body sends about taste, satisfaction
neurotransmitter that our body makes emotional involvement. and fullness. When making food choices,
and uses to send messages between take into account how the food affects
nerve cells. Dopamine can be stimulated Endorphins are our body’s natural your energy levels and mood. For example,
by: completing a task; doing selfcare painkillers and aid us in our ability fatty and sugary foods might taste great
activities and other exercises; eating to experience pleasure. They can be and give you satisfaction at first, but after
high-protein but low-fat foods (soy, stimulated by: a good laugh with friends; some time you notice your energy levels
legumes, velvet beans); the use of certain watching a comedy; getting a massage; drop.
spices eg. Curcumin; getting enough intimacy; enjoying a hot bath; exercise;
sleep; listening to music; or celebrating indulging in dark chocolate and wine; or Showing compassion and concern for
small wins. Increased levels of Dopamine using essential oils (lavender, rosemary, your fellow human beings creates a
in your body increase your memory, and citrus fragrances or bergamot). sense of community. Be pro-active and
help you stay focused and productive. considerate towards the people around
Dopamine also contributes to your losing CHANGING YOUR HABITS you. The gratitude you will experience by
weight, stops self-destructive behaviour Small changes to your daily routine can showing an act of kindness will help raise
and helps to prevent addictions. enhance your mood significantly. Try to the dopamine and oxytocin levels in your
build in time for exercise and/or meditation body.
Serotonin, which is responsible for a in your busy schedule even if it’s only 20
stabile mood, energy levels, and sleep can minutes a day. You will feel more energy It is clear that our lifestyle and diet play a
be stimulated by: meditation, exercise, and satisfaction afterwards. major role in our overall mental well-being.
and sun exposure. The amino acid that By living more consciously, our lives can
stimulates the production of serotonin Happy people attract happy people. be very different and make us feel the
is called tryptophan. This building block As humans, we associate smiling with happiness we desire.

Call or WhatsApp: 060 974 2039 Email: personalfocuscoaching@outlook.com For more information: www.personal-focus-coaching.com
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