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Olivia loves a challenge.
It's why she lifts heavy weights and likes complicated recipes.
But for booking a trip to Paris, Olivia chose the easy way with Expedia.
She bundled her flight with a hotel to save more.
Of course, she still climbed all 674 steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
You were made to take the easy route.
We were made to easily package your trip.
Expedia.
Made to travel.
Flight-inclusive packages are at all protected.
What are happy hormones?
Thanks for asking.
A recent scientific brief from the World Health Organization explained that anxiety and depression had increased 25 worldwide over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The massive rise was mostly down to social isolation and multiple stress factors like fear of infection and financial worries.
It's important to know that we can actually control our mood to some extent.
It's possible to boost our so-called happy hormones in natural ways by opting for specific foods, activities and behaviours.
Hormones are the body's chemical messengers.
They're produced in endocrine glands like the thyroid, or organs like the intestines and pancreas.
Hormones move around the body in blood and one of their main roles is to guide our mood.
On top of hormones, you've got neurotransmitters at play.
These chemical substances are secreted by certain neurons and send messages from one to another.
When several of these hormones or neurotransmitters are freed at the same time, their beneficial effects add up.
The result is a feeling of well-being.
So how can we stimulate the production of these hormones and neurotransmitters?
Board games are one example, because they're an intellectual, social and playful activity.
They stimulate the secretion of three hormones, serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine.
Another example is exercise, of course, which releases endorphins.
Their effects begin after around 20 minutes.
Endorphins are neurotransmitters which contribute to a state of euphoria, but are also like a natural form of morphine, in that they ease pain.
Then you've got dopamine, a neurotransmitter which activates the reward circuit.
If you take pleasure from gardening, cooking or another activity, you'll want to do it again.
Dogmean also makes you want to outdo yourself.
It's a stimulant.
So by imagining yourself winning or succeeding, you vastly increase your physical and mental energy.
You get the same result when trying new things and changing your usual habits.
When it comes to food, dairy products, dried pulses and eggs all contain tyrosine, an essential amino acid which contributes towards spreading dopamine around the body.
Why do they say that oxytocin is the love hormone?
That's because it wakes up when we think about someone we love or feel comfortable with.
It's also known as the cuddle hormone or bond hormone and leads to increased empathy.
You can stimulate oxytocin by having intimate moments with a partner or spending time with friends.
Taking care of a pet or doing voluntary work are also excellent stimulants.
Meanwhile, serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in the sleep process.
Poor sleep contributes to having a bad mood.
Serotonin is linked to situations of satisfaction or small wins on a daily basis, which helps self-esteem.
You can boost its secretion by meditating as well as consuming poultry fish chocolate, linseeds or sesame seeds.
There you have it!
Now you know what happy hormones are.
In under three minutes, we answer your questions.
What would you like to know about?
Use the comments section to send us your questions.
