If happiness was a meal, the list of ingredients would vary for each of us. There is no established formula. People feel happy in very different circumstances. However, we all seem to agree that the sense of contentment that we call happiness is a result of both internal and external factors.
Food is an intricate part of our lives. The way we eat affects every layer of our being from the very superficial to the deepest. It’s not surprising that anyone who is worried about their general wellbeing and mental health will, sooner or later, have to address their eating habits.
The biological aspects of happiness
Understanding how our body works can provide insights into what types of food make us feel good and why. Let’s start by explaining the difference between hormones and neurotransmitters. They are both chemicals, but while hormones are produced in the endocrine glands and are released into the blood stream, neurotransmitters transmit signals between nerve cells in the brain and throughout the nervous system.
Both hormones and neurotransmitters play a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, including our mood, and can be affected by our diet.
A healthy and happy diet
Certain foods can trigger the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins in the brain, which are associated with feelings of pleasure, happiness, and well-being.
🤣 Consuming carbohydrates can lead to an increase in serotonin levels, promoting feelings of relaxation and happiness.
🤣 Legumes such as lentils and chickpeas are high in folate and tryptophan, which are important for serotonin production.
🤣 Nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, and flaxseed are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which play an important part in the structure and function of cell membranes.
🤣 Dark chocolate contains substances that promote the release of endorphins and serotonin in the brain.
Equally, hormones such as oxytocin, often called the "love hormone," are associated with social bonding, trust, and feelings of happiness. While cortisol, the stress hormone, can have a negative impact on mood and well-being when present in excessive levels.
🤣 Foods high in protein can provide the amino acids needed to synthesis oxytocin in the body.
🤣 Magnesium is also involved in the synthesis and release of oxytocin. Consume magnesium rich foods such as leafy greens, nuts and seeds, whole grains, legumes and dark chocolate would also help.
🤣 Consuming unprocessed food such as fruit, vegetables, whole grain would help keep your cortisone levels low.
Happiness and brain interactions
As well as chemicals, happiness involves complex interactions among different brain regions. In particular, those occurring in the brain's limbic system, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. All of these areas play a crucial role in processing emotions, forming memories, and regulating mood.
The olfactory system, responsible for our sense of smell, is closely linked to the brain's limbic system. That’s the reason why we feel happy and comforted when we smell certain food’s aromas. It’s also the reason why food smells can stimulate our appetite and make us enjoy our food.
Grow your own food
Happiness is also hugely influenced by external factors as well as internal. The way we source our ingredients can also contribute to our general mood and happiness. Consuming sustainably produced food will not only reduce our ecological footprint but will also have a positive effect on our wellbeing.
A great way to eat sustainably is by growing your own food . Whether you do it as part of a community, or at home, growing your own vegetables and herbs has numerous positives.
🥕Homegrown food contains higher nutrients and is free from harmful pesticides and chemicals.
🥕It will give you a huge sense of empowerment and achievement as you will be able to choose what you want to eat and follow the whole process from field to folk.
🥕Spending time tending to plants, and witnessing the growth and development of your own food can foster a deeper connection to nature. Connection with nature has been linked to reduced stress, improved mood, and increased feelings of well-being.
🥕 Engaging in gardening activities can be meditative and calming, helping to reduce stress and promote relaxation, leading to lowering cortisol levels and alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Whether the pursuit of happiness should be the main purpose of our lives can be debatable. What we can all agree with is that being able to feel happy is necessary for all of us. Through history there has been many definitions of happiness. One of the most famous ones was by Mahatma Gandhi who said "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." May your food thoughts, words and actions be in harmony.
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