Are you feeling a little down? Maybe you need a boost of dopamine to lighten your day up.

Dopamine is a chemical released in our brains that makes us feel pleased and satisfied. So when you feel good after achieving something, it may be because there’s a surge of dopamine in your brain.

But dopamine doesn’t just affect our feelings. It’s also involved in maintaining our body movements, cognition, memory, and sleep. Significantly low dopamine levels can lead to Parkinson’s disease, ADHD, and depression. Some people with dopamine deficiency take medications to increase their dopamine levels. However, there are also natural ways to get a boost of dopamine.

Here are 5 ways to increase your dopamine naturally.

1. Spend time with your pets.

Some doctors prescribe people with mental health conditions to have an emotional support animal to improve their emotional state and overall well-being. For example, simply spending time with a pet can elevate dopamine levels, which makes people feel calmer and more relaxed.

Play with your dog or cat. Give them some belly rubs, or simply hold them. It will not only make them happy but also fill your heart with joy and serenity.

2. Eat a healthy diet.

Our brains use an amino acid called tyrosine to produce dopamine. So getting more of this amino acid from food can potentially increase dopamine levels.

To acquire it, you don’t have to look for expensive drugs or meals. Simply eating a healthy diet is enough. This includes eating chicken, eggs, dairy, avocados, and bananas, which are all tyrosine-rich foods. Supplements with turmeric, vitamin D, and magnesium are also claimed to increase dopamine levels.

3. Be physically active.

It’s widely known that exercise is good for your health. But aside from strengthening our physical bodies, working out can also have positive effects on our brains.

During exercise, the brain releases neurotransmitters like endorphin and dopamine that increase the sensation of pleasure. Aside from exercising, you can also do yoga, have a massage, or walk outside. All these physical activities will improve your mood and clear your mind.

4. Meditate regularly.

Meditation is a mental exercise. It allows your mind to wander and become aware of the present. Studies have shown that dopamine levels can be elevated by this activity. So take some of your time to meditate. Appreciate your achievements, no matter how small or big they are.

5. Get enough sleep.

A large amount of dopamine is released once we wake up in the morning. That is why it feels good to wake up. However, when people stay awake throughout the night, dopamine receptors in their bodies can be affected, which reduces dopamine sensitivity.

Lower dopamine levels can result in decreased feelings of alertness and wakefulness. This can also affect our concentration and coordination. So get enough quality sleep and avoid drinking caffeine in the evening.

Conclusion

Note that increasing your dopamine levels alone will not solve all your problems. It will just improve your mood and emotions. So, don’t just focus on dopamine, but also consider other hormones like serotonin and oxytocin.

It’s also possible to start craving more dopamine because you feel good. That’s why some people get addicted to alcohol, illegal drugs, and social media. Once addicted, it’s difficult to get back to normal. So, it’s best to avoid these addicting and harmful activities. Instead, keep your dopamine levels balanced by staying healthy.

Do you own an assistance animal? Register your pet today.

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals. Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the image below.