Being happy – How does it work?
Being happy is a difficult feat. Yet, often we find it is only the simplest thing that encourages a smile or a laugh. These are voluntary factors or events that occur in your life, for instance if your partner proposes, or if it is your birthday. Of course there are also voluntary factors which decrease happiness. The focus of this article however is on involuntary factors that affect happiness. This is where the science of your body comes in!
Oxytocin
One example of a scientific element that increases happiness is oxytocin, a hormone which the brain releases when people hug. Childbirth and breastfeeding release oxytocin, meaning that women experience higher levels of the hormone. However, the body also produces oxytocin when people hug. It is produced by the hypothalamus in the brain, and scientists link it to the formation of romantic relationships. As a result of this, oxytocin is commonly labelled the ‘love’ hormone.
Endorphins
It is well known that chemicals called endorphins boost your mood and make you feel good. The brain releases endorphins when you exercise, laugh or engage in sexual activity. These chemicals not only provide pain relief, but also create the sensation of pleasure and happiness. Endorphins could also help to fight mental illnesses such as depression by boosting self-esteem. However, there is no research to prove this as of yet, and the amount of endorphins released may vary from person to person.
Psychological Effects
Actions and behaviours also have psychological effects. Acts of altruism or helping others activate areas in the brain associated with pleasure and reward. The Framingham Heart Study in 2008 showed that emotions such as happiness transfer from one person to another through mimicking behaviours and expressions. The researchers also examined social networks, for example families, and concluded that ‘happy people tend to be connected to one another.’ Then simply the presence of a happy person influences your personal sense of happiness.
Some psychologists and scientists believe positive, happy relationships and friendships ward off illness, as the brain controls mechanisms linked to illnesses. Furthermore, researchers believe that friendship has a much bigger impact on happiness than factors such as money. In 2006, Professor Oswald at Warwick University estimated that the sum of £50,000 makes up the happiness you lose when you don’t have friends. Read more about this topic here.
A lot of these scientific and involuntary responses to happiness involve voluntary action such as partaking in exercise or making friends. Yet, the body helps you by ensuring that you get the best and most positive feeling out of the experience. Aren’t human beings clever? To reach the height of happiness, you and your body must work together. As long as you do your bit and put in the effort, your body and brain delivers the rest!
Feeling healthy can also have positive impacts on our emotional wellbeing. Our Lymphatic Vacuum Massage is ideal for this, as it encourages the flow of the lymphatic system which flushes toxins out of the body. It can also help with blotchiness of the skin and provide relief from pain, making you feel better inside and out!
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Everyone is different, and our skin is no exception to this rule. Furthermore, our skin goes through various changes throughout...Happy Customers Thank you to Yolanda and Rosanne, plasma performed , I have had this done in other clinics, but the knowledge and respect I received from these two ladies , I cannot praise them highly enough, thank you girls Rebecca was lovely throughout my treatment…very good at her job! Thank you! This is my second time at Vivo and I am super happy with my treatments.
This time around I had the pleasure of having Diana as my therapist and she was amazing. She explained everything in a simple and detailed way, allowed me to feel part of my treatment, recommended additional treatments with no pressure, and made me feel really at home.
When you are getting these kind of treatments it is very personal and you need to feel comfortable with your therapist and feel they know what they are doing.
Well my treatments were done over 2 plus hours and Diana really showed her expertise in the business of beauty. Sharing some of her previous experience and making me feel even more at ease.
Vivo has great prices and amazing people. In a neat, clean and welcoming space.
Highly recommended.
Thanks for everything Diana, I’ll be back again soon :)
JB. Sapphire is a highly skilled and professional therapist with a warm and friendly demeanor. She possesses extensive knowledge and has a strong reputation for providing safe and reliable care. I've undergone several treatments with her, including a recent Morpheus8 procedure, and I can't praise her enough! So far I had 2 sessions with Sapphire. She is a wonderful consultant. Friendly and professional. Very knowledgeable in the work she does.Definitely I would recommend Sapphire. I have booked more treatments with her. First time explained very well in detail by Shaymma would definitely recommend. First time for me to have fat freezing done . I recently had a treatment in Birmingham with Sandra. Sandra was fabulous and very professional, she talked me through my facial and answered all questions i had. The clinic was very clean with high standards, very friendly and welcoming. I would not hesitate recommending this VIVO Clinic.
Great value, great consultants and very professional. I can't speak highly enough of the service and professionalism I received today from Rebecca. The entire experience, from the moment I walked in, was fantastic.Rebecca was friendly and efficient, and was not only knowledgeable but also took the time to address all my questions and concerns. I was treated by Tini, There was plenty of information she was amazing, she was so knowledgable and very easy to talk to , I was so relaxed I really enjoyed my time there . I even had a discount on the last min treatment ( vaginal tightening ) Highly recommend to anyone. Thank you Vivo
This time around I had the pleasure of having Diana as my therapist and she was amazing. She explained everything in a simple and detailed way, allowed me to feel part of my treatment, recommended additional treatments with no pressure, and made me feel really at home.
When you are getting these kind of treatments it is very personal and you need to feel comfortable with your therapist and feel they know what they are doing.
Well my treatments were done over 2 plus hours and Diana really showed her expertise in the business of beauty. Sharing some of her previous experience and making me feel even more at ease.
Vivo has great prices and amazing people. In a neat, clean and welcoming space.
Highly recommended.
Thanks for everything Diana, I’ll be back again soon :)
JB.
Great value, great consultants and very professional.