7 Scientific Ways to Boost Your Happiness And Enhance Mood

All of us consider happiness as a subjective quality, reasons for which may vary from person to person. We all have our individual quirks and a few specific things that produce joy and happiness. Apart from those little fancies that we have, there are some other means which are biologically proven to enhance mood and stimulate happiness. A few have been listed below -

1. Meditation
   

Meditation is closely related to happiness and is backed with science.  Inculcating a few minutes of meditation in your day-plan can have unprecedented benefits like an increase in a positive surge of emotions, clarity and enhanced focus, less physical pain, and a healthy mind and body. Meditation is a simple practice that can be done anytime and anywhere without any investments and long-lasting benefits. Owing to all these reasons, there is no wonder why mediation is quickly rising in popularity.

2. Regular Exercise
   

We often feel elated and full of vigor after an intense workout session. Ever wondered why? Because our bodies have been programmed to move and indulge in physical activities. Exercises release mood-enhancing neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and epinephrine. The secretion of these hormones is preceded with physical workout and hence getting a little sweat on isn't a bad idea at all. Promote a calm headspace with enough exercise and sweating.

3. Calming Teas 
   

The act of sitting down during tea time and calming those frazzled nerves with a cup of stress-busting teas also induces happiness and joy. A few calming teas are known to reduce anxiety, fatigue, and stimulate relaxing brain waves. Various teas like chamomile tea, turmeric tea, tulsi tea, blueberry tea, and Matcha tea are known to put you in a better mood and reduce symptoms of stress and depression. These teas enhance sleep quality and improve overall health.

4. Chocolates
   

Yes you heard that right! Eating chocolates certainly makes you happy and it is no joke. Many studies have found that chocolate is known to have an exhilarating effect on one’s mood and it stimulates mood-boosting neurotransmitters. Chocolates, especially cocoa, have unique compositions, with compounds like theobromine, flavanols, anandamide, etc. which are known to trigger bliss and joy.

5. Enough Sleep

It is not a shocker that lack of sleep and depression go hand-in-hand. When you have a great night full of plenty of sleep, your brain functions on an entirely happy note and naturally broadens your smile. Therefore, the regularity of your sleeping schedule decides your happiness, health, and calmness for the rest of the day. The number of hours you spend weekly on sleep determines the extent of your happiness.

6. Giving to Others
   

The saying “it's better to give than to receive” is also one of the ways that have a direct correlation to everlasting happiness. Studies have shown that the act of “giving” activates the same parts of the brain which get stimulated by food and sex. Generosity is an integral component of our brain and indicates that helping others is a natural way to help yourself as well as others.

7. Spend time with Pets

Animals can help improve mental health and merely looking at a picture of cute puppies makes your day. This feeling is backed by science and even got a medical term for it - pet therapy. As reported by TIME, “a stressed-out group of adults was told to pet a rabbit, a turtle, or their toy forms. The toys had no effect. But stroking a living creature, whether hard-shelled or furry, relieved anxiety. It worked for people regardless of whether they initially said they liked animals.” Similar studies even found that having pet crickets helped reduce depression. Nature is always the best solution for everything!

This is how you can regain your lost happiness and revive your lost-self.