Happiness from Within
Happiness from within may be a cliché, but there are many reasons why happiness comes from your gut and what you put in it. And pleasure can be a tease that does not always please.
Pleasure is intense and wonderful. But it is short term, can leave us wanting more in larger doses and thus can become addictive. Pleasure is associated with dopamine in our brains.
True happiness is more than a momentary buzz. It is an overall sense of contentment. Happiness is associated with serotonin in our gut and our brains.
An addictive pleasure cycle demands increasing dopamine levels which the body struggles to achieve and at the same time suppresses serotonin. For good mood and mental health we must have these two happiness transmitters in balance.
What does this have to do with nutrition?
The foods we choose when we are stressed or depressed are often grabbed-in-a-rush convenience foods: processed, sugary and designed to hit the dopamine buttons. These are exactly the foods that are addictive and destructive of our hopes of happiness. They do not nourish our health. They do not provide the nutrients for serotonin production. They do not provide food for the brain or the good gut bacteria that also support mental health.
The brain and gut are strongly linked. Look after your gut health and your mental health will shine. Kick addictive habits, such as sugar, to regain happiness. Be in charge of your food; break its hold over you.
If you are struggling with food cravings or are confused about which foods are feeding or foiling your happiness… contact Phillipa
Listen to an interview here with Dr Robert Lustig differentiating between happiness and pleasure.
And before you go, some wise words about happiness from Tim Minchin:
Happiness is like an orgasm. If you think about it too much it goes away… aim to make someone else happy and you might find you get some as a side effect.