{"id":25449,"date":"2024-07-29T17:04:32","date_gmt":"2024-07-29T16:04:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ounews.co\/?p=25449"},"modified":"2024-07-29T17:04:32","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T16:04:32","slug":"thirteen-brain-health-hacks-to-increase-happiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/around-ou\/thirteen-brain-health-hacks-to-increase-happiness\/","title":{"rendered":"Thirteen brain-health \u2018hacks\u2019 to increase happiness"},"content":{"rendered":"

An Open University academic has provided 13 brain-health hacks to help us improve our happiness and has revealed all in a short film<\/a> from a series of specials produced in partnership with the BBC for the This Morning Live show on BBC One.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Dr Sinead Eccles who appeared on Morning Live<\/p><\/div>\n

Dr Sinead Eccles is a Staff Tutor in Psychology at the OU and says that by focusing on actively increasing the four happiness chemicals in the brain and incorporating them into our everyday lives, we can all improve our own wellbeing.<\/p>\n

The film, one of six covering a wide range of subjects proposed by OU academics, employs the help of Radio 1 DJ Katie Thistleton, who confesses at the beginning of the film that she suffers from low mood swings and anxiety.<\/p>\n

In the film, Dr Eccles put Katie and colleagues through some exercises to help increase Dopamine (the \u2018feel-good\u2019 hormone), Oxytocin (the \u2018love\u2019 hormone), Serotonin (the \u2018happy\u2019 chemical), and Endorphin (the \u2018pain reliever\u2019 hormone) levels. Then she measured their reactions.<\/p>\n

Dr Eccles said: \u201cThis was a truly enjoyable experience. From the beginning the BBC crew were very easy to work with, they took my lead and were very encouraging, which was a huge help to me on the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

To view the film and find out more on how to boost your brain chemicals visit the OU Connect web page<\/a> but meanwhile, here are Dr Eccles’ 13 simple tips to help you to feel good:<\/p>\n

If you want to increase the \u2018feel-good\u2019 hormone Dopamine:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Engage in any activity that makes you feel happy and relaxed<\/li>\n
  2. Make a daily \u201cto do\u201d list and delight in ticking off the tasks completed<\/li>\n
  3. Try to sleep 7-9 hours a night<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    To increase the \u2018love hormone\u2019 Oxytocin:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. If you don\u2019t have a pet to enjoy stroking, look at pictures of small cuddly animals that crop up on your social media feed<\/li>\n
    2. Engage in physical affection simply by hugging a partner, friend or your child<\/li>\n
    3. Force yourself to socialise \u2013 it might be challenging for some but it will flood your brain with Oxytocin<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Increase Serotonin to improve your mood:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Eat foods that contain tryptophan such as salmon, eggs, nuts and spinach<\/li>\n
      2. Spend time outside in natural light<\/li>\n
      3. Seek out activities that allow you to \u2018switch off\u2019 and relax<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        To increase Endorphins:<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Exercise and movement of any kind can help here but it must be something you can do consistently and enjoy.<\/li>\n
        2. Laughter will flood your brain with endorphins so do\/watch\/enjoy activities that tickle your funny bone.<\/li>\n
        3. East spicy foods and dark chocolate<\/li>\n
        4. Carry out acts of kindness<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          The films were commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships and are supported by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with particular relevance to Psychology and Counselling<\/a><\/p>\n