Naturally Increase Your Dopamine
Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a role in motivation, productivity and concentration. It allows us to plan better and resist impulses that could hinder the success of our goals. Low dopamine levels can lead to lack of motivation, fatigue, addictive behaviors (drugs, alcohol, tobacco), mood changes and memory loss. Here is how to naturally increase your dopamine.
ways to naturally increase your dopamine
–Eating foods rich in tyrosine increases dopamine
Here is a list of foods high in tyrosine that can directly affect dopamine levels: almonds, avocados, bananas, beets, cabbage, green tea, lima beans, oregano, peanuts, rosemary, sesame and pumpkin seeds, turmeric and watermelon.
Avoid at all costs: saturated fats and sugars (especially artificial).
–Exercise
Physical exercise is one of the best things we can do for our brain. It increases the production of neurons and slows down their aging and acts on the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine which help us better manage stressful situations.
But there is no need to carry out strenuous activities to find the same benefits. Taking walks or doing low-impact exercises such as yoga and gentle pilates provide significant benefits to the body and mind.
–Spend more time outdoors
The sun’s rays increase the number of dopamine receptors and create vitamin D which activates the genes responsible for the release of dopamine.
–Meditate
The benefits of meditation have been proven by more than a thousand studies. Those who regularly adopt meditation experience an increase in their ability to learn, greater creativity and a deep state of relaxation.
If meditation does not interest you, the state of meditation can also be stimulated by activities that require creativity (photography, drawing, knitting, etc.).
–Listen to music
Listening to music can cause the release of dopamine. X-rays show that the pleasure centers of the brain light up upon contact with music, just like the other pleasures of life (eating, dancing, etc.).
–Massage
Therapeutic massage increases dopamine and serotonin and helps reduce the level of cortisol, the stress hormone.
–Pet an animal
Petting an animal increases dopamine for both parties.
–Sleep
Research suggests that lack of sleep can affect and reduce the number of dopamine receptors.
–Take a cold shower
Taking a cold shower (14 degrees Celsius) can increase dopamine substantially: up to 250%!
Training your brain to naturally increase dopamine also means training your brain to resist substances that artificially increase it (sugars, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, etc.).
Finally, listen to your body, watch your bad habits, take care of your meals, exercise, slow down the use of screens and above all, don’t dare to seek the advice of a professional if you are not feeling well!
For more mindfulness tips, click here.
I hope you enjoyed these tips to naturally increase your dopamine and found them useful. Comment down below what you think of these tips. Have you tried any? Or share with us other ways you know of to increase dopamine naturallyt and tackle on-the day’s tasks with a smile!
Looking forward to reading your comments, sending you love and positive energy!!!
