Matt S.
When it comes to the chemicals in your brain that help you feel good about the world, one neurotransmitter takes on particular importance. That neurotransmitter? Dopamine.
And, as it turns out, there are ways to increase dopamine production, which in turn improves your focus, your mood, and your motivation.
Who wouldn’t want that?
So check out these eight tips for boosting your body’s dopamine production, in turn boosting your mood and your productivity:
Skip addictions
While that may seem like a strange piece of advice, studies have shown that addictions of any kind (drugs, sex, shopping, even other seemingly innocuous addictive behaviors such as video games or sugar consumption) can have long-term effects on depressed dopamine production as your body gets used to the artificial quick hits that such addictive behaviors provide. Obviously, this isn’t sustainable.
Knock out small tasks
Finishing tasks, even small ones, can boost dopamine production. As a result, making checklists and notching each item completed can result in small rewards.
Make something
Creating things can often result in a mental state of flow, the result of a hyperfocus on the task at hand—and that hyperfocus is the result of dopamine. Creating something with our own hands or brain can boost dopamine production, so why wouldn’t you want to make something?
Regular exercise
In addition to being great for our physical health, regular exercise boosts the production of neurotransmitters, including serotonin (which makes us feel satisfied) and endorphins (which make us feel joy) in addition to dopamine. Even better? It doesn’t have to be strenuous exercise. Studies show that even light walking can result in a dopamine boost.
Each of these eight actions can help bolster your body’s dopamine production, though, which can have you feeling better and more productive in no time!
*This content was inspired by an amazing article that can be found here.
