Mental health: Increase dopamine levels for happiness with these simple tips

A stroll in the sunlight is a method to improve your mood. Representative image/ iStock/Julia Amaral

Dopamine is a major neurotransmitter that controls the body's movements as well as influences our memory and stimulation. Besides, dopamine improves our mood and helps us be happy always. Noted nutritionist Mareena Wright speaks about a few habits that could increase dopamine levels to feel happiness.
1. Getting enough sunlight
Morning sun exposure would surely improve dopamine levels. You could take a stroll outside, early in the morning to receive the benefits of sunlight. This would improve your mood and help you relax.

2. Probiotics
Fermented food that contains probiotics stimulates the growth of good bacteria in the gut. This too might help increase the dopamine levels. Moreover, feeling full and satiated would make you feel happy generally in life.
3. Food that contains tyrosine
Tyrosine is an amino acid that is used for producing protein. Including pulses, dairy, fish and meat that contain tyrosine in your regular diet would improve the dopamine level.

4. Prebiotics
Prebiotic fibres are as important as probiotics. These help in improving dopamine by maintaining a healthy balance of the microorganisms in our body.
5. Listening to music
Listening to music would not only increase dopamine but improve the blood flow to the areas in the brain that control happiness and emotions.

6. Exercising
Working out regularly is essential to maintain both physical and mental fitness.
7. Sleep
Catching a good night’s sleep plays a pivotal role in the production and release of dopamine hormones, making us happy and relaxed.
8. Learning new things
Trying to learn new things would surely boost dopamine production. This stimulates the brain and keeps you happy.

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