The brain has its own team of hormones to \u201cstimulate\u201d us, naturally improving mood and energy.
\nThe brain has its own
\nideal team of hormones to naturally improve mood and energy. You just need to know how to stimulate them. Here\u2019s how.<\/p>\n
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Simona Gouchan<\/p>\n
Why subscribe?
\nWith the arrival of winter, it can sometimes be hard to keep up. Luckily, a few simple steps are all it takes to regain vitality and joy. British neuroscientist TJ Power, a prominent figure on social media (with nearly 900,000 Instagram followers), shows in his book \u201cThe Right Dose\u201d (a clever acronym for dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins), published by Marabout, how to stimulate the happiness hormones.<\/p>\n
American psychiatrist Georgia Ede, a Harvard-trained specialist in nutrition and metabolism, reminds us in \u201cNourish Your Brain, Heal Your Mind\u201d (published by Thierry Souccar) that food remains fundamental to psychological well-being. Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, attention or memory problems\u2026 brain chemistry is based on food choices. Providing essential nutrients, avoiding those that cause stress, and, metabolically, maintaining healthy blood sugar and insulin levels are crucial. Between simple routines and balanced menus, these two complementary approaches help us get through the cold season with a clear mind and a positive outlook.<\/p>\n
Regain your motivation and energy with dopamine.
\nNotifications, likes, endless videos\u2026 the brain runs on dopamine, the molecule of vitality and motivation. But, constantly bombarded with stimuli for everything, the dopaminergic circuits become depleted. The result: we get bored easily, procrastinate, and feel exhausted. Contrary to popular belief, dopamine is not the pleasure molecule, but rather the one that drives us to act, learn, and create. For our ancestors, every effort (hunting, lighting a fire, building a shelter\u2026) brought a slow but lasting reward, emphasizes TJ Power. Today, a simple click or a like is enough to trigger a small dopamine surge, a fleeting pleasure that, in the long run, diminishes the desire to act.
\nNeuroscientists call it \u201cevolutionary mismatch\u201d: our brains, calibrated for sustained, tangible effort, are trapped in a world where everything is at our fingertips, where rewards are instant, an endless \u201cdopamine land.\u201d The remedy? A reboot. TJ Power, a former notification addict, suggests retraining the brain to achieve genuine satisfaction through basic habits: taking a cold shower, tidying the house, reading, or even watching TV\u2026 but without your phone. These small actions, which require a bit of self-discipline, reactivate the natural dopamine cycle: effort followed by true pleasure.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to allow ourselves moments without our mobile phones during the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Avoiding your phone upon waking and organizing your morning is the first thing you should do. Diving into notifications within minutes of waking blocks the energy boost built up overnight, when the brain regenerates its resources. Then, making your bed, brushing your teeth, or taking a cold shower sends a clear signal to your brain: \u201cI\u2019m taking control of my day.\u201d And, to limit unnecessary dopamine rushes, TJ Power recommends intermittent phone-free time: reserving periods throughout the day without your phone and scheduling specific times to check social media. He only allows himself three time slots: 10:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m., appointments he looks forward to.<\/p>\n
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Entering that state of flow, that state of total concentration, is another effective tip. Sports, reading, gardening, writing\u2026 immersing yourself in a demanding task slowly increases dopamine levels, fueled by the effort. Often, fifteen minutes of sustained attention is enough to activate the mechanism: once that point is reached, the brain works at full speed, concentration becomes fluid, and you are fully anchored in the present moment. The result: productivity, motivation, and genuine enjoyment are perfectly synchronized.<\/p>\n
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On your plate,
\nfocus on quality protein. Dopamine is made up of amino acids like tyrosine and phenylalanine, but it also needs cofactors: iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, and vitamins B6, B12, and folate. Dr. Georgia Ede emphasizes that animal proteins (meat, fish, eggs, seafood) are the most effective at providing these easily absorbed nutrients, even going so far as to call meat a \u201csuperfood.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for eggs, and in particular the yolks, they constitute an almost perfect food, providing numerous essential nutrients, often insufficient in the modern diet, such as choline (a component of cell membranes and a precursor of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for learning and memory), and omega-3 fatty acids, especially if the hens are raised on pastures.Vegetarian or vegan? Vary your sources of plant-based protein (nuts, tofu, quinoa, buckwheat, legumes, etc.) to cover all the essential amino acids and make sure to supplement your intake of vitamin B12, iron, zinc, copper, iodine and omega-3 (EPA\/DHA), which are often deficient in exclusively plant-based diets.<\/p>\n
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Boost self-confidence and connection with others with oxytocin<\/p>\n
Known as the \u201clove hormone,\u201d oxytocin boosts self-confidence and strengthens bonds with those around us. It fosters tenderness and connection from birth and throughout life. When levels are healthy, it relieves stress, promotes empathy, and reinforces self-esteem. Conversely, a deficiency promotes anxiety and social isolation. Social interactions are its playground: sharing a meal, kissing, playing team sports, giving or receiving compliments, helping someone\u2014every interaction stimulates oxytocin production.<\/p>\n
\u201cOften our thoughts focus on what is missing or what is wrong.<\/p>\n
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