Unlock the secrets of your brain's 'feel-good' neurotransmitter with these 11 natural strategies. Boost your dopamine levels, enhance your mood, and improve your overall well-being, all without the need for medication. Let's delve into the world of dopamine and discover how to stimulate its production naturally.
Exercise
Boosts dopamine, endorphins and serotonin – a beautiful cocktail of neurotransmitters that will make you feel a lot better
- Simply taking a walk or climbing some stairs will achieve a good dopamine hit
- Neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki gave a TED talk on the mental health benefits of exercise
- A single workout can improve your ability to shift and focus attention
How dopamine impacts your body
Research has found that dopamine could be the most significant factor in whether you experience positive emotions and motivation
- Dopamine is also tied to your productivity levels as it is what propels you to want to accomplish a goal, and to find the motivation to get up and get after it
- There are plenty of ways to increase your levels of dopamine naturally
Bottom Line
Dopamine is produced by a neurological process that involves reward and motivation
- It is possible to train your body to produce dopamine in new ways by doing things you love and accomplishing goals, small or large
- If you are struggling to find motivation to live life fully, remember that you can train your dopamine response to help you out
Take supplements to increase dopamine production
Tyrosine is the building block of dopamine.
- A list of foods that increase tyrosine includes bananas, beef, green tea, watermelon, yogurt, almonds, and coffee Almonds
- Some of the supplements listed below also help increase dopamine levels naturally.
Eat more protein & less saturated fats
Protein-rich foods (like beef, eggs, and legumes) are high in tyrosine which is a necessary nutrient for your body to produce dopamine.
- However, studies have shown that saturated fats like those found in butter and animal fat may disrupt your body’s production of dopamine.
Neuroscientists have found that happiness is actually tied to a tiny chemical in your brain – dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that affects your mood, focus, energy, and behavior
- It can help you: Lose Weight Fight Depression Increase Motivation Improve Memory Feel Happier Improve Self-regulation
- Can Help Avoid Parkinson’s Disease Improve Motor Control Reduce Compulsive Behaviors & Thought Patterns Increase Feelings of Satisfaction
Avoid sugar & sweeteners
Sugar activates your brain’s signal to release dopamine
- Consistent ingestion of sugary foods can change your neurological response to sugar
- Cutting sugar from your diet returns your dopamine production to normal after a short time
- Eventually, you will find your body doesn’t crave sugar as intensely once you’ve eliminated it completely
Enjoy the sunshine
Just getting outdoors can have wonderful health benefits, dopamine production being one.
- If you are feeling unmotivated, lethargic, and wanting to increase dopamine naturally, it may be time to take a walk and allow natural light and a little exercise to have its effect.
Checklist small tasks
Dopamine is released whenever we complete a goal
- Write down all the tasks that you need to complete by the end of day, no matter how small
- Every time you check them off, you’ll trigger a release of dopamine in the brain
- If you have a large project to accomplish, break it up into small micro-goals
Get focused on something you enjoy
Doing an activity you love will produce happy chemicals in your body that will make you more productive and happier in all aspects of life.
- Your brain will thank you for it, as it produces many chemicals that will help fuel your future productivity and motivation.
Get some sleep
A lack of sleep can dramatically impact our mood and productivity
- Try hitting the hay a little earlier and establishing a set sleeping schedule
- If you struggle to fall asleep or are restless at night, you may need to try these breathing techniques to help fall asleep in 30 seconds or less
Plan your life
Planning your life a little in advance and following through with it will create a dopamine response that will encourage you to continue making and keeping plans
- Your body loves to create dopamine response to help you on your way
- In making plans for your future, you can increase your dopamine naturally while achieving the life you really want
Meditate
Meditation helps you quiet your mind so you can relax and let life be
- It allows your brain to rewire and can increase your dopamine production while you aren’t doing anything
- If you want to be more productive and increase dopamine naturally, you need to slow down and create space for meditation, prayer, or silent contemplation and reflection
Turn your phone off
Do not let electromagnetic radiation from your phone interrupt and inhibit your dopamine production.
- Get off your phone and go enjoy some sunshine, exercise, or simply do anything away from an electronic gadget. You may be amazed at how quickly your dopamine levels will increase.
