Plants as the perfect pandemic Pals

1

Dopamine

The reward chemical. You can activate this by having small wins. Simply check out one from your to-do list and it is a victory. Celebrate it. Being in the comfort of your home you have the time to satisfy your cravings in your own lovely kitchen or you might want to have one click on your phone, food delivery will hit you up. Eating a good meal will surely boost your dopamine. Who would have argued? A great meal is heaven. Take time to take care of yourself. There is no other best way to spoil oneself but to love yourself unstoppingly. Treat yourself, spoil yourself, take care of yourself. Do things that keep you alive and healthy. #SelfCARE first!

DAILY D.O.S.E.

Rusky Zorilla I Writer

OF HAPPINESS:HAPPINESS:

HOW TO ACTIVATE HAPPY CHEMICALS IN OUR BRAIN

Occupied by your hustle and bustles every day, we often comprise our “me time” just to get all things done. If we continue to do so, these tons of “I need to do this”, “I need to finish this”, “I’ll add this on my to-do-list”, will intoxicate our mood and our whole being. It will result in the tendency of not functioning effectively that will surely make us unhappy. Given the lockdown setup we are in, the luxury to relish in a staycation, movie night, or peaceful dinner in a restaurant is arduous. In this horrible time, how are we supposed to solace some time and pull-out stress in us?

2

Oxytocin

The love hormone. Who does not want love or to be loved? No one. This chemical boosts when you receive affection physically or when you give compliments to the people around you. Oxytocin is often referred to as the “hugging drug” because it is released by the brain during physical contact with others. But of course, remember that hugging nowadays is forbidden because of Coronovirus, social distancing is a thing to consider. However, no one can compare the hugs from your family. Hugs as many family members as you can besides, life is short why not show your affection to them everyday with an empowering compliment, powerful!

3

4

Serotonin

The mood stabilizer, this pandemic makes everyone feel mood swings, yeah even guys! However, there is a way to get rid of uninvited moods – Serotonin! Practicing meditation every day helps you activate this happy chemical, perhaps meditation helps you connect to your inner being and be able to listen to the noise of nature, calming. By spending some time in nature–”plantitos” “plantitas” out there are shaking–will perfectly stabilize your mood. Might want to expose yourself to the sun and embrace vitamin D go for a short walk but make sure you wear facemask. You can also have your exercise, whether it may be at your house’s salas or at the veranda, this will surely give you a shot of serotonin.

Endorphine

The painkiller. All of us feel pain. I am not excused or immune to pain, but guess what, there is a painkiller chemical. We all need this. We can activate this gem by simply laughing out loud. Have some time cracking jokes with your siblings and parents. Laugh your ass off man, have fun. But don’t make it look like you are losing screw somewhere in your mind. Good movies are just one click, get your phone hit Netflix, and have your own movie marathon. But, I suggest watching movies is awesome when you have someone to share your “spur of the movie reactions” with. Go and invite your family! Watching movies increases your endorphine. Volunteering and giving back is also a way to boost your endorphine.

Did you know that by just being at home, you can be able to activate chemicals on your brain that will assuringly make you youthful, lively, and enthusiastic to continue your unending hustles and bustles? You just need to forget your to-do-tasks and pause for a moment. Take time to read this and be enlightened! What makes us feel sensations of happiness, closeness, and joy? Brain chemicals! There are four primary chemicals that can drive the positive emotions you feel throughout the day: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins (sometimes referred to as D.O.S.E.).

Who would have thought that even isolated, we can still manage to offer ourselves happiness and joy without even spending a huge amount of money. Spending some time for ourselves and focusing on serving ourselves with an open heart is not good-for-nothing. Just like how we pressure ourselves to get things done, why not let us also reward ourselves. Let your mind and body feel the sensations of blazing joy. Activate the happy chemicals gifted to you every moment of your day to enjoy life. A productive person is a happy person. Don’t forget your daily D.O.S.E of happiness.